Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described a “fierce urgency of now” when he spoke at the March on Washington in 1963. Now, over 60 years later, his words have renewed meaning. They remind us we are stronger when we march forward, together.
In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service in 1994. AmeriCorps leads the effort each year.
Observed each year on the third Monday in January — which falls on Jan. 19th in 2026 — the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. Since its inception, MLK Day of Service has grown and its impact has increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role to make communities better.
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Serving on MLK Day can be an entry point for ongoing volunteer effort and help build connections that strengthen communities. Through service, we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences — all great lessons for our children.
With that in mind, here are 4 opportunities in the Berkshires:
Do you know of a family-friendly or kid-friendly volunteer opportunity not listed here? Please reach out to taylors@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!
MLK DAY CELEBRATION
Multicultural BRIDGE
ticketing info
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
Norman Rockwell Museum MLK Jr. Family Weekend
Berkshire Community College
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East St, Pittsfield, MA
Parking: Street parking, or a six-minute walk from First Street Parking Lot, First St, Pittsfield, MA
Residents can give back to the community through volunteer activities with local service sites, including Habitat for Humanity, crafting Valentine’s Day Cards for residents of Hillcrest, organizing clothes with Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, and more. BHS’s Mobile Blood Bank will be parked within walking distance at Dunham Mall (four-minute walk).
BCC will begin the event with breakfast and an engaging and poetic keynote by Alÿcia Bacon, the Community Engagement Officer, Equity and Inclusion at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Following volunteer activities, attendees will share a free lunch.
The theme for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance is "Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way."
Keynote Speaker: Alÿcia Bacon
Alÿcia is a published writer, poet, and artist whose poems, stories, and essays explore the sacred dance between memory, love, and liberation.
https://www.berkshirecc.edu/news-events/mlkday.php
How kids can help ... from home
Want more ideas on how to give back to your community that you can do from home? Here are some age-appropriate ideas you can do from home:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grades
- Make cards or pictures for nursing home residents locally or find letter requests here!
- Fill Little Free Libraries or Little Free Pantries
- Package care bags for people without housing or otherwise in need
- Collect old towels and blankets and deliver to an animal shelter
3rd - 5th Grades
- Make easy, no-sew fleece blankets for children in local hospitals
- Collect and sort school supplies and create kits to benefit a local shelter or library
- Rake leaves or shovel snow for elderly or disabled neighbors
- Organize a sock drive and donate to those in need
6th Grade and Up
- Participate in charity walks or runs
- Foster a pet as a family
- Make and donate masks to local family shelters
- Start a club at your school that promotes volunteerism throughout the year
- Initiate a park clean up or beautification project
- Install a buddy bench at a school
