“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Martin Luther King, Jr.
While #MLKDay commemorates the civil rights leader’s birthday and his visions for justice and equality, it was also established as the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service in 1994. MLK Day of Service encourages all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
We would like to share some ideas of how you can provide service at home or on your own, out in the community, while still following public health guidelines to help keep you safe and healthy.
Alleviating Poverty through Service
Dr. King made many contributions to the civil rights movement, but he also fought to alleviate poverty in America. EOCF’s mission to connect, empower and transform focuses on the family, and that children and families receive multi-generational support that aims to alleviate poverty. You can honor his legacy by contributing to EOCF to ensure children and families furthest from opportunity continue to receive support.
- Donate to EOCF online here: Donate to EOCF
- Support our local food banks by donating online at clarkcountyfoodbank.org/donate or donate non-perishable food items.
- Support organizations helping people experiencing homelessness such as Share Vancouver, Council for the Homeless, Open House Ministry Family Shelter.
- Donate to any local organization that helps people in need.
Beautify the Community
Take pride in your neighborhood and help protect your local environment by helping beautify your neighborhood.
- Pick up litter on your street or in your neighborhood.
- Help restore parks and green spaces with the City of Vancouver Adopt-A-Park program. Visit https://www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec/page/adopt-park for more information
- Find more environmental volunteer opportunities.
Economic Empowerment
By supporting local business, you also support your neighbors. The pandemic has created a multitude of hardships for our small business, and our small businesses often support multiple generations of a family as well as the livelihoods of hundreds if not thousands of workers. By showing your support for our local small business, you directly contribute to an independent and vibrant community in Clark County.
- Shop at a local BIPOC-owned small business and restaurants. Find your favorites here: Local BIPOC Businesses
- Support organizations that provide pathways to economic opportunity and prosperity, such as Vancouver NAACP or LULAC-League of United Latin Americans
Learn and Discuss Dr. King’s Life and Teachings
One way you can honor King’s legacy is by learning more about his life and teachings, including the principles of non-violence and his commitment to eliminating poverty.
- Read a book from one of the MLK Day booklists at The King Center (https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/books-bibliography/).
- Host a virtual discussion with friends and family about King’s life and teachings, his principles of non-violence, and community challenges and ways to address them through service and volunteering.
Provide Community Service to Neighbors and Families
The pandemic has caused many of our community members to feel more isolated. Consider reaching out and helping your neighbor or friend or participate in a program that connects people to those in need.
- Call a friend, family member, or someone in your life that may be lonely.
- Make phone calls to seniors in need.
- Participate in your local neighborhood block watch program.
- Volunteer to help care for animals waiting for their forever home at Humane Society of Southwest Washington.
- Shovel elderly neighbors’ walkways, clear leaves, or help with other yard maintenance.
Promote Healthy Futures
- Donate blood. Bloodworks NW is asking for 10,000 donors in the next 10 days to book appointments to give blood.
- Support COVID-19 relief efforts and learn more about racial disparities in health care.