PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia ranks top on the list of cities honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with civic service. Todd Bernstein, cofounder and organization of the Day of Service, said, “We expect more than 85,000 volunteers to serve in some 1,300 projects throughout our region, again making it the largest King Day event in the nation.”
One major goal here is to pack 100,000 meals for distribution around the world. Add to that service transpiring nationwide and MLK Day becomes a vase sea of humanity, which, no doubt, would have Martin Luther King, Jr. rejoicing.
To serve or not to serve, either way there is plenty of enjoyable events in the Philadelphia region.
Monday, Jan. 16:
National Constitution Center presents the video Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., A Legacy of Service from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The video explores King’s use of nonviolence not just as a political tool but as a way to demonstrate service to others. The Constitution Hall Pass series is free online. For more info, see www.constitutioncenter.org or call 215.409.6600. Monday also marks the final day of Fighting for Democracy-Who is the “We” in “We the People?” The exhibit pays homage is a diverse set of ordinary Americans with extraordinary legacies. Their compelling stories come to life in an innovative exhibit-theater hybrid.
Dr. Martin Luther King Annual Memorial Breakfast hosted by the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Loews Hotel, 1200 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. Breakfast will be followed at 11:00 a.m. by a Day of Service Mediation Program presented in conjunction with the Philadelphia Bar Association at the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School, 2601 So. 58th Street. The mediation program teaches students to become Peer Mediators who can help reduce violence in their school. The program runs until 2:00 p.m. For more info, visit http://phillybarristers.com/MLK.html or e-mail phillybarristers@gmail.com.
17th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service encourages projects across the city. This year’s activities include a job fair with 20 local employers at Girard College. Girard College turns into service headquarters for the day. Orientation typically begins by 8:00 a.m. at 2101 So. College Avenue in North Philadelphia. For more info, visit http://mlkdayofservice.org/, e-mail mlkdayofservice@globalcitizen.us.com or call 215.656.2475.
Martin Luther King Day of Service is hosted by Central Bucks Family YMCA and Central Bucks YMCA from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at 2500 Lower State Road in Doylestown, PA. Help prepare care bags for those in the community who find themselves in need. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers. For more info, visit and register at www.cbfymca.org or call 215.348.8131.
NAACP’s 35th All Faith Service at Zion Baptist Church 3600 North Broad Street in Northwest Philadelphia. Mayor Nutter will speak at about 11:45 a.m. For more info, call 215.223.5460.
Celebrate Martin Dr. Luther King, Jr. Day at the National Museumof American Jewish History from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The museum is open free of charge and offers family friendly activities, such as the freedom-themed watercolor project, a special screening of Eyes on the Prize, and interactive exhibits to encourage discussion about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The museum is located at 101 South Independence Mall East in Old City Philadelphia at the corner of 5th Street. For more info, visit www.nmajh.org/ or call 215.923.3811.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service hosted by Our Lady of Grace Church in Penndel will focus on feeding the hungry this year. Volunteers are needed to prepare snacks and meals to donate to Aid for Friends in Philadelphia. Children can make cards to accompany food donations. This service takes place in the OLG school gym, 300 Hulmeville Avenue in Penndel, PA from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.olgpenndel.org or call 215.757.7700.
MLK Fun and Activity Day for Special Needs is presented by Mother Care Inc. in the Greater Norristown Police Athletic League headquarters from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. PAL headquarters is located at 340 Harding Boulevard in Norristown, PA. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are encouraged to join activities, which include basketball, dancing, singing, games and more. Refreshments will be served. For more info, visit www.greaternorristownpal.org or call 610.278.8040.
National Bell Ringing Ceremony in the Liberty Bell Center is featured at 6th and Arch Street on Independence Mall in Philadelphia by invitation only. The ceremony begins at 11:15 a.m. and the symbolic ringing occurs at 12:00 a.m. This is a prelude to the 30th Annual Awards and Benefit Luncheon fundraiser for the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. It is the first and only affiliate of the King Center in Atlanta, GA commissioned by Mrs. Coretta Scott King to honor the memory and legacy of her husband. The luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Liberty Ballroom of the Sheraton City Center Hotel at 17th and Race Streets in Philadelphia. Sheryl Lee Ralph is a featured honoree. For more information, visit http://philadelphiamlk.org/Luncheon.aspx or call 215.751.9300 or e-mail info@philadelphiamlk.org.
Martin Luther King Day of Service at the African American Museum in Philadelphia is a free day of Sharing the Heritage sponsored by Citizens Bank Foundation. Come and enjoy history, performances, children’s activities and meet the Philly Phanatic. Also contribute can goods to the Philabundance Food Drive and more from 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The museum is located at 701 Arch Street in Center City Philadelphia. For more info, visit www.aampmuseum.org or call 215.574.0380.
Free M.L. King, Jr. Tribute by the Philadelphia Orchestra in Martin Luther King High School at 6100 Stenton Avenue in Northwest Philadelphia. The orchestra is joined by the Philadelphia All City Choir to combine the traditions of African-American culture and Western classical music. Remaining seating is available on a fist-come, first-serve basis beginning at 2:30 p.m. with the concert scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.philorch.org or call 215.893.1999.
The public is invited to a community meeting with Mayor Nutter and government and community leaders to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and discuss anti-violence measures and to introduce the area’s PhillyRising program. Join them at 4:00 p.m. in Bethel Temple Community Bible Church at 228 East Allegheny Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. For more info, call 215.291.8144.
For Life Against the War and War Life Against the War…Again, film screenings at the International House on Monday, Jan. 16 and Tuesday, Jan. 17. The location is 3701 Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia’s University City. The time is 8:00 p.m. on both evenings starting with Part 1 of both films on Monday with Part 2 for both on Tuesday. This event recognizes that exactly one year before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he linked the struggle for civil rights to the anti-war movement in his address, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence” in a New York City church. The Program in Cinema Studies and the Department of Fine Arts at the U. of Penn joins the International House in presenting these film screenings. For more info, visit http://ihousephilly.org or call 215.387.5125.
Tuesday, Jan. 24
2012 Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service Project Coordinators’ Appreciation Breakfast is hosted by United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Enjoy breakfast, words of wisdom, and feedback from the King Day experience from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. For more info, visit www.eventbrite.com/event/1141136169 or e-mail mlkdayofservice@globalcitizens.us.com or call 215.665.2475.
Events are subject to change, so checking for updates is advisable. Have great service-filled, fun day.
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