Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 17, and as the slogan goes, it鈥檚 not a day off; it鈥檚 a day on 鈥�- there are plenty of opportunities in the area and nationwide to serve the community in the spirit of the slain civil rights leader.
These are just a few of the opportunities from locally-based governments and organizations; you can always volunteer or donate to your local food pantry through or .
Maryland
On Monday, the Financial Empowerment Center at Prince George’s Community College is asking people 鈥渨ho believe they are financially-minded, stable and successful鈥� to a King-inspired financial education session called 鈥淔inancial Lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.鈥�
It鈥檚 a Zoom meeting where volunteers will go into breakout rooms to share 鈥渟tories from their financial journey.鈥�
You need to be at least 27 years old and be 15 to 20 minutes early for the start of the 1:30 discussion. .
The 鈥檚 website has lists of volunteer opportunities going on all week, and the also has plenty of opportunities.
Virginia
There鈥檚 a , from a teacher supply drive to gathering winter supply kits for people in public housing to virtual meetings on the safety net for senior citizens. You can find out more on the Volunteer Arlington website, and you might want to move it, because some of them are filling up.
DC
is looking for volunteers to assist with distributing hot meals, warming kits, sanitizer and groceries to diverse communities and neighbors in need. It鈥檚 Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its headquarters at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Southeast. You have to be masked and vaccinated.
And if you don’t want to go through the formalities of signing up, the U.S. Department of the Interior says you can help out by reaching out to people around you: 鈥淐heck on your neighbors, friends, and family, especially those who are older or maybe alone. A phone call, text, or a conversation through the door could brighten their day.鈥�
