On Monday, January 18, we will honor the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and overall contributions to our country. While the third Monday in January officially became a federal holiday celebrating Dr. King in 1986, it wasn’t until 1994 when Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service. The “day on, not a day off” is an opportunity for all Americans to honor Dr. King by helping in their community.
Even though COVID-19 has interrupted our daily lives, there are still many ways Kitsap County residents can celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and the national day of service, even while following the CDC’s COVID guidelines. There are several ways to include children and teach them the importance of service to the community. Some ideas include:
- Running an errand for a housebound neighbor or friend
- Sending or delivering a card to someone needing encouragement or support
- Walking around your neighborhood and picking up trash
- Planting a tree
- Donating needed household items and food to a shelter or food pantry
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service is also a good time to commit to longer-term volunteering opportunities. There are many opportunities to volunteer for non-profits throughout the county. Additionally, Kitsap Emergency Management (KCDEM) has a variety of opportunities that range from assisting in COVID-19 quarantine and isolation centers to amateur (ham) radio positions to volunteer opportunities with several county search and rescue groups. Opportunities through KCDEM can be found here while other volunteer opportunities available through Kitsap County can be found here.
To learn more about the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, visit the AmeriCorps website.
