Make Mon., Jan. 16 a fulfilling day off for your family. The National Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service encourages all ages to join in service projects and volunteer opportunities in honor of the late civil rights pioneer.
Learn Through Action
At the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, kids can participate in a quilting project for a women’s shelter and learn about the impact of quilting on communities in the past. A sing-along concert, kids’ craft activities and history performances — including a re-enactment of MLK Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech — are other highlights of the day.
The Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington, DE, highlights African Americans' contributions to biology through hands-on crafts, games & other learning activities on Monday.
Get Involved & Give Back
Projects organized by community leaders range from item donations to clean-up projects. MLKDayofService.org lists events, including a donation drive at Upper Darby (PA) High School, and painting, trash removal and cleaning at New Beginnings Academy in Chester, PA. The Food Bank of South Jersey is seeking food donations as well as volunteers to help sort donations throughout the week. The Barbershop Salon & Spa in Burlington, NJ is collecting T-shirts and non-perishable foods that will be donated to Ladle of Love, a local food pantry. At VolunteerDelaware.org you can find ongoing volunteer opportunities, such as making handmade blankets for children in foster care in Delaware, organized by Kozy Kovers for Kids.
Girard College in Phila., a signature site of the 2012 Greater Philadelphia MLK Jr. Day of Service, hosts a kids’ carnival, health and wellness fair and civic engagement expo. Learn more about these events and find more volunteer opportunities at MLKDayofService.org and MLKDay.org.
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Stephanie Halinski is calendar editor of MetroKids.
