While we are officially “off” work in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let’s celebrate Dr. King’s life by encouraging and engaging in community service. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968.  During that time African Americans achieved more progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced.  Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s preeminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history.  

We know that Dr. King’s accomplishments are taught to children of all races, and his teachings are studied by scholars and students worldwide.  But did you know:

• King’s birth name was Michael, not Martin.  His name was changed in 1934 after his father traveled to Germany and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther. As a result, King Sr. changed he and his five-year-old son’s name to Martin Luther.
• King skipped grades 9 and 12, entering college at the age of 15.   It’s true, Dr. King was brilliant, enrolling at Morehouse College in 1944 at 15.  
• King is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor and is the only non-president memorialized on the Great Mall in the nation’s capital. 

Super cool right?  Dr. King, Jr. described the “Beloved Community” as a society where “caring and compassion drive political policies that support the worldwide elimination of poverty and hunger and all forms of bigotry and violence.”  Here are a few local opportunities for you and your family to help build a beloved community while serving others in honor of Dr. King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Meal Delivery

VNA TEXAS

MLK Day of Service

ARLINGTON CHARITIES INC

Ryan Bergeron of CNN said, “With virtual (volunteering) you don’t necessarily have to solve a problem. You can just make somebody’s day and that’s kind of going back to just doing something good.”  There are so many ways to do good, we hope you engage in doing good today… and everyday!