During a period that’s been plagued with so much civil unrest, we need to, now more than ever, channel the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King—to reflect on the lessons that he gave us, and how each of us can contribute to building a better Memphis. Speaking of which, Volunteer Memphis has opened the registration for their MLK Days of Service, happening January 14-18.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For their fifth consecutive year, Volunteer Memphis is providing opportunities for Memphians to serve in commemoration of MLK Day. They’ve joined forces with local institutions like Memphis River Parks Partnership, Memphis Public Libraries, MLGW, Methodist South Hospital and more who are hosting virtual and in-person service projects in communities across the Mid-South. Last year, volunteers completed over 5,000 hours of service for MLK Days of Service, and I think we can top that in 2021. Don’t you??
**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Volunteer Memphis is asking that all volunteers adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and following additional guidelines set by their local health departments when volunteering**
Take a look at the MLK Days of Service Project List:
Thursday, January 14
- Vitalant MLK Days of Service Blood Drive (In-Person)
- MLGW Energy Services EnergySmart Workshop (Virtual)
- Volunteer Memphis MLK Days of Service Kick-Off Event (Virtual)
Friday, January 15
- Vitalant MLK Days of Service Blood Drive (In-Person)
- MLGW Power of Warmth Drive-By Distribution (In-Person)
- American Red Cross Missing Maps Project (Virtual)
- Volunteer Memphis Volunteer Playbook Webinar: Creating a Successful Volunteer Event (Virtual)
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation & Tennessee Recreation Advisory Committee Panel Discussion: The Quest for Equity in Parks and Recreation (Virtual)
- Methodist Hospital South MLK Days of Service Blood Drive (In-Person)
- CONVERGENCE Memphis Webinar: Home Down Payment Resources (Virtual)
- Regions Bank Webinar: Saving for Retirement (Virtual)
- 2021 MLK Days of Service DEAI Panel: Building a Beloved Community: Realizing Dr. King’s vision through Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (Virtual)
- Shelby County Trustee Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Webinar: Budget Basics (Virtual)
- African American History of Elmwood Webinar (Virtual)
- Memphis City Beautiful “Plant the Town Red” Information Session (Virtual)
- Memphis Public Libraries Black Lives Matter Teen Panel Discussion (Virtual)
- St. James Garden Project- MLK Day of Service x Memphis Tilth
Saturday, January 16
- Vitalant MLK Days of Service Blood Drive (In-Person)
- Volunteer Memphis No-Sew Mask Making Session (In-Person)
- Volunteer Memphis “Care Like King” Kit Distribution (In-Person)
Sunday, January 17
- Vitalant MLK Days of Service Blood Drive (In-Person)
- Volunteer Memphis No-Sew Mask Making Session (In-Person)
- Volunteer Memphis “Care Like King” Kit Distribution (In-Person)
Monday, January 18
- Vitalant MLK Days of Service Blood Drive (In-Person)
- Memphis River Parks Partnership Cobblestone Cleanup (In-Person)
- Volunteer Memphis Volunteer Playbook Webinar: How to Turn it Around in the Pandemic (Virtual)
- Bank of America and EpiCenter Webinar: Entrepreneurship/Small Business 101 (Virtual)
- Shelby County Trustee Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Webinar: Establishing Credit (Virtual)
- Shelby County Trustee Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Webinar: Improving Credit (Virtual)
- Shelby County Trustee Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Webinar: Establishing a Banking Relationship (Virtual)
- American Red Cross Missing Maps Project (Virtual)
Since 1975, Volunteer Memphis has been mobilizing Memphians to create change and to seek out changemakers—and even amidst a pandemic, their push for progress hasn’t slowed down, from distributing over 20,000 free masks throughout local communities to keeping people informed on how to serve safely.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may not have been a Memphian, but he cared for those in this city as if he was. He walked with them, bared their burdens, and championed them to keeping pushing towards progress—and I think that’s what it means to “Care like King.”
Will you help his legacy live on?
