Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described a “fierce urgency of now” when he spoke at the March on Washington in 1963. Now, nearly 60 years later, his words have renewed meaning. They remind us we are stronger when we march forward, together.
In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service in 1994. AmeriCorps leads the effort each year.
Observed each year on the third Monday in January — which falls on Jan. 15 in 2024 — the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. Since its inception, MLK Day of Service has grown and its impact has increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role to make communities better.
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Serving on MLK Day can be an entry point for ongoing volunteer effort and help build connections that strengthen communities. Through service we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences — all great lessons for our children.
Local Events to Honor & Serve:
- Metropolitan Community College is hosting the 2024 Chancellor's Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon at 11 a.m. Friday. The goal of the event is to raise funds for student scholarships. Martin Luther King III will be the guest of honor and attendees will receive a copy of King III's children's picture book, "My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
- The United Way of Greater Kansas City and Garmin are teaming up to host a weekend of service from January 12th to January 15th. The aim is to celebrate and honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings of justice, equality, and service. Four local organizations are in need of volunteers to assist with tasks such as sorting food, IT needs, and general clean-up, and various volunteer opportunities will be available around the Kansas City metro.
- Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Westport Coffeehouse Theater is hosting a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. The evening will include readings and musical performances, guest speakers and live music.
- Explore the connection between baseball and civil rights at 8:30 a.m. Monday as The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum hosts a panel remembering the life works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The panel is moderated by Pastor Ronald Lindsay and features Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II and NLBM president Bob Kendrick. The event is free for all to attend, but you must register online.
- The Heartland Conservation Alliance and KC Parks are hosting a 2.5-mile-long guided walk along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Woodland Avenue on Monday at 9 a.m. The walk starts at Martin Luther King Jr. Square Park and ends at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. The event includes a program with local community leaders discussing environmental justice. The walk is free, but tickets must be reserved online. Pets are allowed on the walk, but not inside the heritage center. The event is rain or shine.
- Participate in AARP's Day of Service at the Cleaver Family YMCA on Monday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Collaborate with other volunteers to create sleeping and healthcare kits for the homeless, along with fleece blankets for the KC Pet Project. Additionally, you can write notes of encouragement for local schools and organizations.
- Join GKC's Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter for their day of service. The events begin at 9 a.m. on Monday with a solidarity walk at the Black Archives Of Mid-America, located at 1722 E 17th Terrace. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a food and coat collection. The AKA chapter is also hosting a financial literacy seminar from noon to 2 p.m., which includes a complimentary lunch for those who register online.
- The Human Relations Commission of Lee's Summit will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. with exhibits and speeches on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at The Pavilion at John Knox Village. The event's theme is "Living the Dream, It Starts with Me Spreading Hope, Courage, and Unity." Attendees can expect creative performances and a speech by Rebecca J. Wates. The event encourages attendees to carry King's message towards a united community. The first 250 people to arrive will receive a free T-shirt.
- In collaboration with AmeriCorps and Kansas City Public Schools, City Year Kansas City is organizing a Day of Service on Monday at 9 a.m. to brighten up Pitcher Elementary School. The event invites 150 volunteers to lend their hand in painting and decorating the hallways with inspiring and positive messages for the students. Although there is currently a waitlist, anyone aged 11 and over is welcome to sign up online and contribute for as long as they can during the event.
- Join Rediscover to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a day of service. "We are proud to support our mobile crisis resource team and welcome you to join us on Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1555 NE Rice Rd, Lee's Summit, MO (meet at Building B) for our volunteer event."
- Harvesters' facility located at 3801 Topping Ave will host an event to teach both kids and adults about the importance of giving to the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to sort and box non-perishable food, pack fresh produce, sort and box bread, repack ready-to-eat food and bulk products, pack BackSnacks, which are backpacks filled with nutritious, child-friendly food for children in elementary and middle schools. For those interested in volunteering, please note that children must be at least 8 years old to participate and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Time slot for volunteering are for two-hour sessions, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday.
- Join the Kansas City Public Library in their fifth annual hygiene product drive, aimed at helping those in need. The library is asking the community to donate travel-sized hygiene products to any KCPL location create personal care kits for distribution. The products will be put together in a kit on Tuesday, Jan. 16, along with a copy of the KCPL’s Street Sheet. Find your closest KCPL location using the online map.
Do you know of a family-friendly or kid-friendly volunteer opportunity not listed here? Please reach out to brittanym@macaronikid.com and we'll add it the list!
How kids can help ... from home
Want more ideas on how to give back to your community that you can do from home? Here are some age-appropriate ideas you can do from home:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grades
- Make cards or pictures for nursing home residents locally or find letter requests here!
- Fill local Little Free Libraries or Little Free Pantries
- Package care bags for people without housing or otherwise in need
- Collect old towels and blankets and deliver to an animal shelter
3rd - 5th Grades
- Make easy, no-sew fleece blankets for children in local hospitals
- Collect and sort school supplies and create kits to benefit a local shelter or library
- Rake leaves or shovel snow for elderly or disabled neighbors
- Organize a sock drive and donate to those in need
6th Grade and Up
- Participate in charity walks or runs
- Foster a pet as a family
- Make and donate masks to local family shelters
- Start a club at your school that promotes volunteerism throughout the year
- Initiate a park clean up or beautification project
