A special service was held in Westbury Sunday in honor Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and legacy.

The luncheon also honored those who continue to follow the civil rights leader's dedication to giving back to the community.

Operation Get Ahead is a service organization that for the last five decades has followed King's message of helping others and tolerance. It honored several Long Islanders and their work of giving back to the community.

"We can come together... and support each other in love, faith, struggle and non-violence peace that was the legacy of Dr. King," said Operation Get Ahead's Tina Hodge Bowles.

That message had a profound impact on Violet Avery, who snuck out of school to take a bus to Washington, D.C. to see King speak.

"We needed to go just to experience the crowds and what that great man was saying," Avery said.

She and others hope King's message has an impact on today's youth and that non-violence, tolerance and love can lead to enormous change.

"You don't see to many results with those who burn down out cities. What you do see is the results of the power of forgiveness and love and reconciliation and the brotherhood of all," said Bishop Phillip Elliott, of the Antioch Baptist Church in Hempstead.