Honor Dr. King’s Legacy Through Service
This Monday, United Way employees will join volunteers around the country for the 25th-annual MLK Day of Service.
Until three years ago, Heart of West Michigan United Way, like many workplaces, observed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by taking the day off. But we realized we could better honor the legacy of the man who said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” by following his lead.
Members of our team will be lending a hand at Senior Neighbors in Sparta, recycling used electronics at Comprenew, baking cookies for families at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan, and making fleece blankets and prepping meals for local families at Wyoming Park UMC.
While these volunteer opportunities have already filled up – it’s been so encouraging to see the growing interest in MLK Day service projects from local companies and organizations in recent years – you still have many ways to Honor Dr. King’s legacy on the 20th and throughout 2020.
Listen to a Survivor of Racial Injustice
The ordeal of the “Central Park Five,” a group of Black and Latino boys convicted of attacking a white woman in New York City only to be exonerated years later, has gotten renewed attention thanks in part to “When They See Us,” a 2019 Netflix miniseries from Ava DuVernay. Yusef Salaam, one of the Five, will be in Grand Rapids to speak about his experiences and the criminal justice system. Salaam will deliver a keynote at GVSU at 2 p.m. and Fountain Street Church at 6 p.m.
Join a March at a Local College or University
Commemorate Dr. King and support the ongoing struggle for civil rights by joining a march at a local college or university. Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, and Calvin University are all hosting marches on campus, as well as lectures and other programs. GVSU will also host events on Wednesday and Saturday. Learn more.
Attend a Film Screening
On Monday, Celebration Cinema is screening the new film “Just Mercy” about civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson for $5. Celebration’s Studio Park location is also hosting an 11 a.m. screening and panel discussion, featuring Judge Christina Elmore, 3rd Ward Commissioner Senita Lenear, attorney Jeshua Lauka, and Michael Daniels, executive director of Ingenium, a United Way partner agency, among others.
Sign Up to Serve
Looking for ways to serve others? Look no further than The Volunteer Center. Hundreds of volunteer opportunities are available now. Search by agency, interest area, project type, or date.
If you’ve never served through The Volunteer Center before, take the first step and create a profile. It’s super-simple. When you sign up, you’ll be able to register for opportunities and receive updates on volunteers needs in our community.