MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. It is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream.
On Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 and the days surrounding, the TEMS PTO invites families to:
- engage with your community and create constructive action;
- act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity; and
- recommit by volunteering to serve others.
We’ve curated some local volunteer opportunities for you and your family to consider this MLK weekend. Please plan to confirm the dates, times and all relevant details, including the need to pre-register, before participating in any of the below listed events as specifics may have changed and some events require registration.
- Trout Creek Cleanup at Gateway Shopping Center (Wayne, PA)- Monday January 15th 10:00 am - 11:00 am, middle school age and up. Join the Tredyffrin Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) for a MLK Day of Service cleanup event. Volunteers of middle school age and up are invited to help with this important undertaking which will benefit the community and Trout Creek.
- Cradles to Crayons MLK Weekend of Service (Berwyn and remote opportunities) - January 14th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, no age restrictions listed - Tredyffrin-Easttown Clothing Recycle event at the Tredyffrin Township Building. Additional service opportunities throughout the weekend include various donation drop-offs, donation drives and card making for the Cradles to Crayons Ready for Learning campaign in which the organization pairs a greeting card with backpacks full of new school supplies for 75,000 local students.
- MLK Teen Peace and Social Justice Summit (Fairless Hills, PA) – January 14th from 4:00-7:00 pm, open to mature 7th and 8th graders as well as high schoolers – activities include workshops, speakers, conversations and refreshments.
- Swarthmore College Black Cultural Center - MLK Day of Service Project (Swarthmore, PA) – January 15th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, ages 12+ - activities include packing over 100 backpacks with school supplies for four local community centers.
- George Washington Carver Community Center MLK Day of Service (Norristown, PA) – January 15th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, ages 14+ - activities include cleaning the area around the community center and other local spots.
- MLK Day of Service at Redeemer Tabernacle Baptist Church-Kids United (Philadelphia) – January 15th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, ages 13+ - activities include poster making, participation in a march, speeches and more.
- Martin Luther King CommUNITY of Greater Kennett Area (Lincoln University, PA) – January 15th from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, no age restrictions listed – activities include brunch, performances, speakers, workshops, campus tours and more.
- Beth Am Israel MLK Day of Service (Ardmore): January 15th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, ages 4+ - hands-on service activities with Bethel AME Church in Ardmore include setting up a community garden offsite at Haverford College, seed sorting for the community garden, church packing efforts, and more.
- Beth Am Israel MLK Day of Service (Penn Valley): January 15th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, activities for both ages 4+ and 6+ - activities include sorting clothing donations, card making, meal-making, and donating hygiene products.
- Sisters Interacting Through Stitches (Philadelphia): time slots on both January 13th and January 15th, ages 12+ - activities include crocheting and knitting caps for infants and making scarves and bonding squares for local and national organizations, as well as addressing wellness and social justice issues.
- Laura Sims Skatehouse Clean-up (Philadelphia): January 15th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, ages 10+ - activities include cleaning and organizing at the rink as well as debris removal in surrounding areas.
- Cathedral Park Rake Up (Philadelphia): January 15th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, ages 10+ - activities include raking and cleaning up of debris in the area.
- University of Pennsylvania Community Beautification Project (Philadelphia): January 15th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, ages 12+ - activities include cleaning and painting at three community locations.
- Jarrettown UM Church Meal Assembly Project (Dresher, PA): January 15th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, ages 5+ - activities in which youth may participate include meal prep and thank you treat bag making for veterans.
Looking for something different? Visit Global Citizen 365 for additional opportunities in the greater Philadelphia area!
