Posted January 7, 2021 by Nicole Trimble

Why a service day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 18, 2021, is the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

 

MLK Day of Service Volunteer Work Parties

 

Friends of NorthCreek Forest

  • Monday, January 18th, 9-11:30am
  • Monday, January 18th, 12:00-2:30pm 
Reservation is required as space is limited. More information: https://www.friendsnorthcreekforest.org. 
 
 

Service at Juanita Beach Park

All spots for this opportunity have been filled...

Join the Green Kirkland Partnership and volunteer for a fun day of environmental stewardship at Juanita Beach Park!

  • Monday, January 18th, 10am-12pm
Registration is REQUIRED - find more information & how to register.
 

MLK Day - Northwest African American Museum Programming

Join Northwest African American Museum as they honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a virtual and in person Books & Balls Giveaway event.
 

Virtual Event - Monday, January 18th, 11AM-7PM

Themed "Stick with Love" (rebroadcast from 4:00-7:00pm)
NAAM will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration virtually this year to keep the community safe during COVID. Virtual festivities include an inspirational lineup of community leaders reading civil rights books virtually to children and family-based trivia. The keynote program will feature music of the movement, messages for the moment, and meaningful virtual community connections. 

This program is free & open to the public.

Highlights:
  • Keynote program will air at 1PM + rebroadcast at 4PM PST.
  • Children’s story hour will air at 11:30AM + rebroadcast at 5:30PM PST.

Find all the details and full program information!

 

Books & Balls Giveaway - Monday, January 18th, 11AM-4PM

Location: Amy Yee Tennis Center, 2000 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle 98114

NAAM, Seattle Sounders Rave Foundation, and City of Seattle Rec’N The Streets have partnered to distribute free gifts to the community in a low-contact, drive-through experience!

Through the Knowledge is Power: “Books & Balls” giveaway, NAAM will distribute 2,500 free, new, beautifully-illustrated African American children's books, and Seattle Sounders Rave Foundation will distribute brand new soccer balls to local youth.

*Former Sounders FC player & ambassador, Brad Evans, will be distributing books & soccer balls from 11AM-12PM!*

The City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Rec’N The Streets will distribute play kits that include all the tools you’ll need to get moving from home!

*Masks are required for the drive-through experience, 11AM-4PM.

 

MLK Day Beet Hunger Harvest

All spots for this opportunity have been filled...

Harvest volunteers work in the spectacular Snohomish River Valley to hand harvest fresh beets for the hungry. We are surrounded by snow capped peaks in the distance, with snow geese calling nearby, and a river runs through it. No tools needed. Just dress for weather (there will be mud). Work is appropriate for all ages (accompanied by parent if under 13).  Do you need service hours for school--get them here. We want to harvest 40,000 pounds of fresh beets for Food Lifeline. You will have plenty of social distancing in the 1200 foot rows, wearing masks in the fresh air. You can see and talk with your friends safely while providing for the hungry in Western Washington. We've been harvesting all fall safely.

Monday, January 18th - 

Additional Details

  • Volunteers should be between the ages of 4 and 99.
  • Family friendly.
  • Register by Sunday, January 17th.
  • Outdoors.
  • Inclement Weather Plan: We will harvest rain or shine. Dress for weather and for mud in the fields.
  • Not Wheelchair Accessible.
  • The field is between Snohomish and Monroe off Tresosti Rd. You will receive specific directions when you have signed up.

Other Ideas of Ways to Celebrate...

Outside events:

  • All spots for this opportunity have been filled...Join Green Seattle's MLK Day of Service for a wonderful volunteer opportunity. Families are welcome to volunteer for a day of service in one of Seattle's local parks and green spaces. Volunteer days are for the long weekend, January 15-18th. RSVP is needed as group sizes are limited for safety. 
  • Celebrate Dr. King’s role in the environmental justice movement by exploring one of our three national parks for free on Monday, January 18th.
  • Enjoy a Washington state park for free. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, you won’t need your Discover Passes to visit on Monday, January 18th.

Virtual events:

  • King County 2021 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Creating the Beloved Community. King County will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's legacy on Thursday, January 14, 2021, 12-1pm virtually. The theme for 2021 is “Creating the Beloved Community” and a keynote will be delivered by Dr. Ben Danielson, Former Director of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic. The event will  be streamed on this webpage.
  • Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with the Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Arts Live, Write 253 and Valencia Carroll to celebrate the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Families will find virtual activities and performances, including Get on the Bus and Ruby Bridges, online throughout the day, on Monday, January 18th, starting at 11 am. Visit the webpage for details and login information.
  • To honor MLK’s legacy, continue the journey of being an anti-racist family when you participate in this three part series for parents and caregivers that dives into why it’s important to talk to kids about race and racism. Presented by King County Libraries. Registration required. Saturday, January 16th, 23rd & 30th. Registration required.