Even though Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is looking a bit different this year, many organizations are still offering service and commemorative activities in the days surrounding the holiday on Monday, Jan. 18.
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County
Event: The 33rd Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast
- When: Monday, Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Where: Virtual
- Cost: General admission is $75; student rate is $35. Sponsorships start at $500. Tickets are available here
- Details: The theme for the year is “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” More information can be found here.
Event: Donations for the Re-Entry Coalition
- When: Monday, Jan. 18
- Where: Donations can be dropped off at 601 S. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17602
- Details: The Lancaster County Re-Entry Coalition has a list of winter items needed to support individuals coming out of prison. The list of donation requests and registration can be found here.
Crispus Attucks Community Center
Event: Pantry and Kitchen Cleaning
- When: Monday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: 407 Howard Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602 (Indoor)
- Details: The community center is looking for two more volunteers to help clean and organize the pantry space. Register to volunteer here.
Event: Christmas Light Display Take-Down
- When: Monday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: 407 Howard Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602 (Outdoor)
- The community center is looking for eight more volunteers to help take down the light displays in southeast Lancaster city. Register to volunteer here.
IMPACT! Missions
Event: Housing project help
- When: Monday, Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: One location in Refton/southern Lancaster County and three locations in Lancaster city (addresses to be shared after registration)
- Projects: Warehouse clean up/organizing tools and materials; hanging drywall and possibly painting; electrical rough-in (under the guidance of a professional); painting, framing, installing top decking and sub-flooring (all under the guidance of professionals). Construction experience is not necessary. Register here.
Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity
Event: Kit making to support new homeowners
- When: Monday, Jan. 18
- Where: Kit creation is remote, drop off is at 443 Fairview Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603
- Details: Habitat for Humanity is looking for about 10 of both the New Homeowner Tool Kit and the New Homeowner Cleaning Kit. Suggestions for what to include and registration can be found here.
NAACP Lancaster
Event: 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Service
- When: Sunday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.
- Where: Free Zoom livestream by TCP: The Cultured Professional
- Details: It will feature keynote speaker Bishop Dwayne Royster, senior pastor at Faith United Church of Christ and national director of Faith in Action, the nation's largest faith-based activist movement devoted to racial and economic justice. Register here.
YWCA Lancaster and Willow Valley Communities
Event: Free Lunch and Learn discussion, "The Radical Martin Luther King, Jr: What History Doesn’t Tell"
- When: Monday, Jan. 18 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
- Where: Zoom livestream
- Details: RSVP is requested here.
Event: Free Virtual Book Readings for Children
- When: Monday, Jan. 18 at 9:30, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Zoom livestream
- Details: Registered children will be placed in the 30 minute time slot appropriate to their age and will receive a goodie bag that includes a bookmark, crayons, certificate, Lancaster Cupcake coupon and their own copy of the book being read. RSVP is requested here.
For individuals interested in volunteering on a day other than Monday or just looking for a different type of service project, check out this need-based list of projects from the United Way of Lancaster County.
To keep up to date on community events or to submit your own, visit the United Way Community Calendar.