On Martin Luther King Day, What are You Doing For Others?

In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. posed the idea that, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” As we kick off 2017, millions of Americans will come together for MLK Day to honor his legacy through service and civic dialogue.

Points of Light invites you to join your neighbors and get involved with a service project near you on MLK Day. Here are three ways.

With a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, and in collaboration with local partners, Points of Light is supporting MLK Day volunteer activities run by eight nonprofits across the country. If you live nearby, we hope to see you there:

Global Citizen of Philadelphia will unite the tristate area – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware – for the 22nd annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service, bringing together 140,000 volunteers at some 1,800 projects, including a health fair, workshops and a civic engagement expo.

Hands On Atlanta will host a Sunday Supper and a variety of service projects designed to steward social change and challenge Atlanta communities to embrace diversity, in line with Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

HandsOn Broward will host a Sunday Supper and engage volunteers in a weekend-long celebration through a variety of service and community projects, including a 5K walk/run, a peach march, a resource fair, and more.

HandsOn Superior California will host a Sunday Supper and family movie night, kicking off the 36th annual MLK Day “Capitol March for the Dream,” and engaging residents in a community day of service.

New York Cares will host service projects across two locations in New York City, involving educational enrichment and recreation for students, socialization for seniors and the revitalization of public spaces.

United Way of Palm Beach County will host a Sunday Supper Movie Night, with service projects intended to create a sense of community togetherness and provide support to 625 local families struggling with hunger and financial insecurity.

Volunteer Center of Greensboro in North Carolina will host a day of service at Four Seasons Town Centre. This event will include on-site service projects and a nonprofit fair where volunteers can connect with dozens of nonprofits.

Scores of other volunteer action centers will activate volunteers in partnership with Points of Light’s programs and divisions during the King Holiday.

In Washington, D.C., Points of Light will partner with Project Management for Change on the third annual DC Regional Project Management Day of Service. During this marathon-style service event, project managers will provide pro bono speed consulting to nonprofit leaders, with the end result being a well-defined scope of work and project plan that nonprofits can then use to address specific challenges. During the event, 240 volunteers will contribute more than 1,200 hours of direct service to more than 60 area nonprofits, making a collective contribution of more than $150,000 worth of business consulting in a single day. In recognition of their efforts, the project managers will be honored with the Daily Point of Light Award on Jan. 16.

Find volunteer opportunities in your community at www.pointsoflight.org/mlkday.