DENVER -- Volunteer organizers say the number of Coloradans who participated in what President-elect Obama deemed a national Day of Service was overwhelming.

The response caught Janet Metzenbaum, who hosted a food-sorting event at the Salvation Army, by surprise.

“It was immediate and it was overwhelming,” she said. Metzenbaum had to post notices online saying she could not accommodate the number of people who had volunteered.

“My friend and I were trying to get a volunteering opportunity for today but they were all full,” said Agnes Rysz, who tried three nonprofits before getting a spot sorting cans with the Salvation Army.

President-elect Barack Obama called for a Day of Service in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and as a non-partisan way to give back in advance of his inauguration Tuesday.

There were events all over the country, ranging from large to small. A handful of people brought their dogs to Cheesman Park and did dirty work. “We're picking up dog stuff and beer bottles and just keeping it clean,” said Rachael Jacobs, a Park Hill resident who came up with the idea.

Many volunteers came wearing Obama T-shirts. Volunteers with a national nonprofit wore shirts with orange construction signs that read “Democrats Work” while serving meals at the Denver Rescue Mission. But they all insisted that this was not partisan, and it was about a different kind of politics. “I think there is a new politics of service where people are realizing that what happens in D.C. is very important, but what happens at home is crucial,” said Aaron Silverstein, who volunteered at the Denver Rescue Mission.

Nonprofits pinched by a tough economy were grateful for the outpouring of support. The Salvation Army reported last week that kettle donations were drastically down this year and for some nonprofits, volunteering has declined.

Organizers hope Monday’s massive volunteer turnout is a sign of a larger movement that could bring volunteers and donations up.

Organizers said the true test of the day’s success would be measured in how many people continued to volunteer in the future, but said the outlook seemed promising.

“Oh my goodness. People have already been asking well I'd like to do this more often,” said Metzenbaum. “I'm hoping that this sets the precedence for the rest of the year,” said Rysz. “and I'm definitely going to volunteer more often now.”