Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Ideas

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Ideas

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated the third Monday in January and is a federal holiday honoring the life and legacy of the American civil rights leader. This year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on January 16.
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”  
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King encouraged America’s citizens to make the country a better place to live. He believed in non-violence and wanted to empower people to take action. As a way to pay further homage to Dr. King and his beliefs, in 1994 Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday as a national day of service. It is considered “a day on, not a day off.” The day promotes volunteerism and is meant to inspire people to serve their neighbors and communities.
Today, people of all ages participate in volunteer and service projects on MLK Day. If you want to help others and celebrate Dr. King’s vision this January 16, here are some ideas for getting involved:

Ways to Get Involved on MLK Day

Host an Operation Gratitude Collection Drive
Collect items for care packages that will be sent to veterans, first responders, new recruits, wounded heroes and their caregivers, and deployed U.S. service members.
Help the elderly
Get your family and friends together and help seniors in your neighborhood with yardwork, housework, shopping, or other tasks.
Hold an eyeglass drive
Ask people to donate their old prescription eyeglasses.  There are many organizations, such as Lions Club International, that will accept your collection and give them free of charge to people in need.  The Lions Club’s Recycle for Sight program has collection boxes where you can drop off your donations, or you can send your donations by mail.
Fight hunger
Hold a food drive and collect non-perishable food items for a local food pantry, soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Contact them beforehand to see what items they accept and which are the most needed.
Say thank you to fire & police workers
Bring some homemade treats to your local fire or police station to show your gratitude for the services they provide every day.
Work at an animal shelter
Help your furry friends and visit an animal shelter. Walk dogs, assist with cleaning cages, drop of donated food and towels, and more.
Have a garage sale
If weather in your area permits, have a garage sale and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice. Bonus – it’s a great way to declutter your home!
Beautify a public space
Put together a team of volunteers and clean up a park, beach or other public area that could use some TLC.
Need more ideas?
Visit the websites below to search for and connect with volunteer projects and opportunities in your area:
VolunteerMarch.org
GenerationOn.org
PointsofLight.org
Idealist.org
AllForGood.org

Omni Financial does not endorse, recommend or imply affiliation with the listed companies, organizations or events.

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