For a day each January, many Americans honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering in their community. Activities include preparing meals, cleaning parks, or helping neighbors recover from disasters.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday in January, was designated a national day of service in 1994. As a pastor and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, King's powerful sermons and speeches reflected America's ideals and urged citizens to serve others.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” King asked.
On this year's holiday celebrated on January 20, 550 George Washington University students, faculty, and staff will prepare emergency kits for seniors. Amy Cohen, executive director of the school’s Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, said volunteering reflects the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement and shows students “how service builds democratic values, builds community connections and community networks.”
The day encourages Americans to volunteer at other times as well. According to AmeriCorps, volunteerism in the U.S. increased by 5.1 percent between 2022 and 2023.
At St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia, students will partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack 14,000 meals. Bob Troy, the school's civic engagement director said: “That the younger students can see that their commitment impacts the world beyond themselves and the school is really valuable.”
In North Carolina at High Point University, 1,000 participants will work within communities to clean yards and deliver heaters among other activities according to University President Nido Qubein who stated: “We are focused on the notion that one-third of your life ought to be invested in learning...and one-third...in serving."
Volunteers with L.A. Works in California will make blankets along with preparing meals for those affected by wildfires in Los Angeles.
Additional efforts include beautifying a park in Newark while assembling Literacy Kits for learners across New Jersey facilitated by Points of Light—a global nonprofit based stateside—which collaborates with partners like HandsOn Twin Cities hosting book drives around Minneapolis-St.Paul region plus Activate Good providing food distribution services throughout North Carolina.
Katie Stearns from Points of Light emphasized how crucial ongoing volunteer participation remains: "The real win happens when everyone who serves that day understands volunteering is an essential action they can take every day."
As expressed by King during his sermon back then: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”