Arab Americans across the country will unite for the common good on May 16 across 19 American cities from New York to San Francisco for the 5th Annual Arab American Service Day.

The event, which runs from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. is coordinated by the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), a project of the Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services (ACCESS). It will begin its Dearborn schedule with a rally at Hemlock Park in Dearborn, which is located at the corner of Hemlock Street and Schaefer Road.

From there, volunteers can choose from three community projects: preparing food packages at Gleaners Food Pantry in Detroit or Taylor, preparing food packages for seniors at Focus: HOPE in Detroit, or beautifying the Focus: HOPE campus by landscaping their park and boulevard.

“Last year we cleaned up and beautified parks and things like that,” said Heather Hussin, communications specialist of ACCESS.

“But I think especially with the economy the way it is, preparing food packages is needed now more than ever.”

ACCESS expects 250 volunteers this year, which would be a 100-person increase from 2008’s activities.

“The National Arab American Service Day is truly representative of the Arab American community, a community committed to giving back through service and to building bridges with our diverse neighbors,” said Sue Makki, Project Director of ACCESS’ national AmeriCorps program, in a press release.

The event marks the third nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 9-16, spotlighting important work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across the country since the national service program began 16 years ago.

For more information on the event, go to www.accesscommunity.org.