SCROLL DOWN FOR THE DAY OF SERVICE EVENTS IN OUR AREA!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia and his birthday was first declared a federal holiday in 1986. Dr. King devoted his life to equality, social justice, economic advancement, and opportunity for all. He challenged us to build a more perfect union and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought to be. In recognition of Dr. King’s incredible legacy of service to all, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a National Day of Service in 1994. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.”
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides – on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout the year. Many communities will also engage in dialogue to explore ways they can address important issues. The 2018 MLK Day of Service is on Dr. King's actual birthday this year, January 15 – and Americans across the country are rolling up their sleeves in service. Are you and your family ready to go out and serve? More information on how to honor Dr. King’s legacy is available on the national website: www.MLKDay.gov. I've also listed some local opportunities below:
SOUTH ORANGE/MAPLEWOOD -
- SOMA 16th Annual Observance & Volunteer Fair at Columbia High School and Luminary Project. The fair is FREE and open to the public. Hundreds of SOMA residents and friends from neighboring communities gather to honor Dr. King through music, dance, a sharing of interfaith readings, and an affirmation of Dr. King's call to action and service. The Fair gives members of the community information and ways to serve from local community groups, including those housing and feeding the poor, mentoring and tutoring our youth, and those serving other social causes. There will also be projects with instant impact that can be completed right then and there. Food pantry donations are encouraged and welcome. For the 5th year, the Coalition on Race is also sponsoring the Luminary Project: they envision 1,000 homes across the Two Towns alight with outdoor luminaries as a sign of peace and solidarity with Dr. King's vision of the beloved community. For more information or advance luminary purchase ($10), please go here: http://www.twotowns.org/2017/12/12/the-luminary-project-2/
SUMMIT -
- Summit's 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Some of the events and activities begin on January 13th! This is a collaborative effort led by Shaping Summit Together with all the Summit not-for-profit providing agencies, volunteers, cultural affinity groups, houses of worship, and City of Summit agencies to honor the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. People can volunteer to work at any of the events. Click here for the flyer including all the events and venues.
- Summit , Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at Reeves-Reed Arboretum Card Making & Clean Up. Children of all ages are invited to make a nature-inspired card which will be sent on Valentine's Day to children at a local hospital. Teens ages 14 and up can volunteer for a morning of outdoor work to help clean the arboretum for spring.
NEARBY EVENTS -
- Newark Museum. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events for kids and adults. A special day of performances, screenings, planetarium shows, speeches, arts & crafts and more. Please click here for more information.
