Obama celebrates Martin Luther King Day

US president-elect Barack Obama helped paint the walls at the Sasha Bruce House, a shelter for runaway teens, in Washington on Jan. 19. Obama stopped at the centre to promote his National Service Day programme, which he established to honour Martin Luther King. (Getty Images)

US president-elect Barack Obama helped paint at Sasha Bruce Youthwork. (Getty Images)

US president-elect Barack Obama helped paint a wall at Sasha Bruce Youthwork. (Getty Images)

Michelle Obama helped volunteers with Operation Gratitude on National Service Day at RFK Stadium in Washington. Operation Gratitude assembles and sends packages to US troops overseas. (Getty Images)

Michelle Obama helped volunteers with Operation Gratitude. (Getty Images)

Michelle Obama gave a hug to two girls as she helped volunteers with Operation Gratitude. (Getty Images)

US president-elect Barack Obama spoke as his wife Michelle looked on during a National Service Day project event where volunteers wrote letters for troops, at Coolidge Senior High School in Washington. (Getty Images)

President-elect Barack Obama greeted a boy at Calvin Coolidge High School where students, military families and volunteer service groups were working on various projects supporting the troops. (Getty Images)

U.S. president-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle posed with a group of volunteers during a National Service Day event where volunteers wrote letters for troops, at Coolidge Senior High School. (Getty Images)

U.S. president-elect Barack Obama held a baby as he visited volunteers during a National Service Day event where volunteers wrote letters for troops at Coolidge Senior High School. (Getty Images)