Community Corner

Not a Day Off: 12th Annual MLK Day

Dozens of service events will take place Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Shaping Summit Together and other local sponsors will host the 12th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday.

While many people have off from work on this national holiday, for more than a decade former councilman Andy Lark, his wife Kay, and Annette Dwyer of Shaping Summit Together have been making MLK Day a day on, not off.

"Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired people in his day to blaze a trail of compassion and peaceful action towards fairness, equality and inclusion," said Annette Dwyer, board chair of Shaping Summit Together, in a press release."While the path has been laid, the journey continues with each generation striving to 'Live the Dream' every day."

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This year's event will feature dozens of service events to participate in including "Take a Troop to the Movies" where volunteers where help create entertainment packages for the troops, a Community Blood Drive at Christ Church, and A Dr. King Birthday Bash at the Youth Center.

"Summit's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service creates multiple service, celebration and learning experiences to "connect" youth, families and adults to each other and the larger community of stakeholders," Dwyer said in the release. "Volunteering side-by-side, hand-in-hand, and building shared experiences makes Summit's celebration of Dr. King's birthday a day ON! for service and inclusion, not a day off!"

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In addition to these service projects, several locations around town are collecting various items for troops, the homeless, children and pets just to name a few.

This year five local residents will be honored with the Keeper of the Dream Award:

  • Emilie George
  • Rabbi Stuart W. Gershon of Temple Sinai
  • Stuart Hairston
  • Rev. Denison D. Harrield, Jr.- Chair of the Interfaith Council and Pastor, Wallace Chapel AME Zion
  • Janet Maulbeck, director of community development at the Summit Area YMCA

For the full calendar of events, click here.

 


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