MLK Day: A “Day On- Not a Day Off”
AmeriCorps Cape Cod finds ways to continue to celebrate MLK Day
MLK Day is the only federal holiday recognized as a national day of service- a “day on, not a day off”. Observed on the third Monday in January every year, individuals are encouraged to work together to volunteer to improve their communities. For the past 25 years, AmeriCorps, has been charged with leading this effort.
AmeriCorps Cape Cod is proud to have organized and hosted MLK Day service events over the past 20 years. These projects have addressed a series of community needs such as food security, education, homelessness, and the environment. Although AmeriCorps Cape Cod is not hosting an in-person event this year, our members are still finding ways to safely celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and message. AmeriCorps Cape Cod members will participate and continue our conversation surrounding racial equality and social justice.
Meredith Ballinger, Interim Program Coordinator for AmeriCorps Cape Cod says, “Now more than ever, it is important to find ways to continue to engage and give back to our community. Even though traditional in-person volunteer events are difficult this year, we can still find ways to honor Dr. King’s commitment to service and equality.
We encourage you to find creative ways to safely engage in volunteer service in honor of MLK Day. You can partake in your own Covid-19 safe MLK day event by:
- Going outside: Clean-up your favorite beach or conservation trail. Take a bag with you when you go for a walk and pick up any trash you find along the way. Be sure to #maskup and practice social distancing.
- Planning for the future: Learn about a local nonprofit organization of interest near you and make a commitment to volunteer with them in the future.
- Learning about racial justice: Sign up and participate in a virtual webinar or lecture.
Check out https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day to join an event near you.
ABOUT AMERICORPS CAPE COD AmeriCorps Cape Cod is a 24-member national service organization operating through Barnstable County. Our program focuses on meeting Cape Cod’s critical and pressing environmental and disaster response needs through a dedication to community service and local collaboration.
