By AFRO Staff

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, “taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (MLK Day) is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a national day of service – a ‘day on, not a day off.’” This year, the AFRO encourages all who are able to take part in a service project that aligns with the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. 

Washington D.C.

  1. On Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2  p.m., the Washington Parks and People, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing D.C.’s parks, is observing the annual Day of Service by offering volunteers a chance to help clean up Marvin Gaye Park. The park, named after the Prince of Soul and Motown singer Marvin Gaye, is two miles long and is located between Minnesota Avenue and Southern Avenue.
  1. A nonprofit organization known as the Anacostia Riverkeeper is honoring the Day of Service on Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. by cleaning up the Anacostia river located at Pope Branch Park. Their mission is to ensure a swimmable and fishable Anacostia river for all visitors.
  1. The Thursday Network is calling volunteers to join them in creating care packages of items such as blankets, snacks, feminine hygiene, dental products, shampoo and more.  The three-day annual drive, between Jan. 14 and Jan 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. , will help residents in D.C., Prince George’s County and Montgomery County area in need.
  1. On Jan. 15, Love Your Tribe, an online space for those in the Black community looking for a place of healing, love and growth, has partnered with PO’UP!, a card game company headquartered in D.C. for #GiveWarmth. For the  #GiveWarmth event, both companies plan to serve 100 homeless D.C. residents with items to sustain them during the winter months. Volunteers can serve between 9:30 a.m. and noon at the Naval Yard in Washington, D.C. 
Whether it be a clothing drive or a park cleanup, District residents are encouraged
to find an activity and donate their time and energy in honor of Martin Luther King
Jr.

Baltimore

  1. On Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers at CityFam are giving back to the Baltimore community by serving food and offering resources to help adults in need of assistance with services such as employment and healthcare.
  1. On Jan. 16, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Muslimat Al Nisaa Shelter and Inge Benevolent Ministry are teaming up to serve hot bowls of chili, clothes and toiletries to Baltimore’s homeless. 
  1. Health care workers are considered to be the frontline agents when it comes to the physical and economic welfare of all persons within the U.S. On Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, St. John Baptist Church is acknowledging those in the healthcare industry by providing them with project kits and cards. Members of the public can pick up the cards between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 and from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 14.
  1. Repair the World Baltimore, Break A Difference, the Warehouse Collaborative and the Maryland Book Bank are working together to sort books, decorate bookmarks, paint walls for the Warehouse Collaborative and sort inventory. Volunteers for this event are needed on Jan. 16 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  1. Friends of Herring Run Parks are welcoming volunteers on Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help care for the plant life of Herring Runs Park by picking up trash. Volunteers must dress for outdoor work, though tools and gloves are provided. 
Baltimoreans have a variety of opportunities to volunteer on the MLK Day of Service this year.
Baltimoreans have a variety of opportunities to volunteer on the MLK Day of Service this year.

Prince George’s County:

  1. Bucklodge Middle School in Adelphi, Md. will hold their MLK Day of Service hours from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 16. The event will include free workshops, performances and guest speakers. Students who participate in the community service workshops will earn service hours. 
  1. On Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Prince George’s County chapters of Top Ladies of Distinction and Top Teens of America will host a drop off toiletry drive at 2500 Kenmoor Drive in Landover, Md. Volunteers are encouraged to donate shower gels, shower shoes, sports bras, unused underwear, satin hair bonnets and other personal hygiene items to those in need. 

Howard County:

On Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Howard County is set to host various activities for the MLK Day of Service at the Howard Community Horowitz Center by providing COVID and flu vaccinations, a Caring Crafting Center and an MLK read-in storytime for children and workshops presented by HopeWorks of Howard County. The county will also donate canned and dry goods, baby supplies, clothing and other necessities to families in need.

Montgomery County- Germantown, Rockville, Silver Spring, Md.

For the first time since 2020, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center has announced a return of their in-person events for the National Day of Service. 

  1. The main location for service opportunities in Montgomery County will be at the Bethesda North Marriot Conference Center from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 
  1. Germantown- A Day of Service will be held for Germantown residents at Journey’s Crossing Church from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 16. Volunteers will be needed for the food distribution center. They will also be used to create hygiene kits and resource bags for teachers. A card decorating station will be available for anyone who wants to thank a first responder. 
  1. Rockville- The women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Eta Pi Zeta Chapter will host variety of volunteer opportunities for residents at the Bauer Drive Community Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Jan. 16. Donations of professional clothing will be accepted for a women’s shelter, and volunteers will be needed to create domestic violence kits and care packages for the homeless. 
  1. Silver Spring- The Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host their 10th MLK Day of Service Program from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Jan. 16.  Volunteers will be used to do everything from “assembling pillows for senior citizens in assisted living” to “filling backpacks for children entering foster care.”

Virtual Opportunities: 
In celebration of the MLK National Day of Service, and the upcoming inauguration of  Gov.-Elect Wes Moore and Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller, United Way of Central Maryland has organized virtual opportunities to volunteer. Visit their website, www.volunteermd.org, to find opportunities to write letters of thanks to teachers or first responders who have contributed untold amounts of time and energy to helping others during the pandemic.

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