What are you doing for others?
Martin Luther King Jr. posed one of life's most important questions, "What are you doing for others?"
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared the third Monday of January a federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. This national holiday is the only one that is also Congress-designated, where a "day on" is encouraged instead of a "day off."
The significance of the MLK Day of Service has grown over the past 25 years as more Americans understand that being a citizen means actively participating in the betterment of their communities.
What can you do for others this Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service?
The best way to celebrate the holiday is by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others, regardless of race or ethnicity. Here are some ideas you can do on your own or with a group:
- Donate blood
- Participate in trash clean-up
- Study the teachings and life of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Participate in a soup kitchen volunteer program with friends.
- Organize a book drive to benefit low-income communities.
- Collect and donate food items to your local food bank.
- Make senior citizens feel less alone.
Serving others plays an important role in building communities, empowering people, breaking down barriers, finding answers, and bringing us closer to Dr. King's vision of a beloved community. It enriches those who choose to serve and dissolves barriers by uniting people from all backgrounds.