Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described a “fierce urgency of now” when he spoke at the March on Washington in 1963. Now, nearly 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. 20th in 2024 — 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 family-friendly 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!
Gladys Allen Brigham Eureka! Family Day & Toy Store
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
Norman Rockwell Museum MLK Jr. Family Weekend
Berkshire Community College
BCC will honor one of America's greatest heroes by giving back to the community at its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service event on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. All are welcome!
This annual event invites the community to honor and uplift King's legacy.
The day will start at 10 a.m. with breakfast at the First United Methodist Church (55 Fenn St, Pittsfield, MA 01201) and an engaging keynote by Rachel Melendez Mabee, Greylock Federal Credit Union's Vice President of DEI, Culture and Brand, followed by volunteer activities and a luncheon.
Residents will have an opportunity to give back to the community through volunteer activities with local service sites including:
- Clean Up at the ReStore with Habitat for Humanity
- Crafting Valentine's Day Cards for residents of Hillcrest
- Canvassing with Western Mass Labor Association
- Clean Up with the Harvest Table, a local food pantry and meal site
- Sorting clothing and toy donations with The Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, in partnership with Berkshire United Way
Attendees will share a free meal, with lunch provided by UpStreet Smoke, a Pittsfield-based, Black-owned business.
This year's national theme is Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365®.
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
