Thousands rolled up their sleeves in Chicago this weekend to pay tribute to the life of non-violent civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.

Volunteers filled Union Station's Great Hall on Saturday to turn the holiday into a day of service.

After one rally volunteers headed out to work on more than 40 public service projects around the Windy City.

The mayor and governor were among the speakers. But it was journalist Ed Gordon who inspired the crowd.

"Don't get me wrong, money is the life blood of movement often," Gordon said. "But the reality is the money would just sit there if it were not for the people who decided to get up and move."

President Obama also honored King at the White House Tuesday. Click play to watch.

Meanwhile, a north Texas community also began its Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations during the weekend.

Dallas politicians, school bands and youth groups marched in a parade Saturday under soggy skies.

"The weather is sorry," Dallas resident Sam Bradshaw told The Dallas Morning News, "but it's important to come out to pay tribute to what Dr. King did for this country. He was a great man."