Lexington to Hold First Martin Luther King Day of Service

The following is an event release from the Town of Lexington web site: 

For 20 years the town has commemorated this national holiday with an annual gathering, presentation and event that highlights the history and work of Dr. King.  This year, Lexington will hold its 1st Annual MLK Day of Service, honoring the memory of Dr. King by committing our community to serving those less fortunate.  MLK Day of Service will take place on Monday, January 20.

Lexington MLK Day will begin with the traditional Unity Walk from the Battle Green to Cary Hall, significant for celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s March on Washington in 1963.  The Unity Walk will commence at 11am.  Presentations will then be made by a few citizens of Lexington who have done much to support the cause of community-building in our town, followed by a performance by the Harrington Elementary School Chorus.

From Cary Hall, volunteers will then split into several groups assigned to participate in a number of community-building and social support activities to improve the lives of those less fortunate.  The volunteering programs include:

• Community Day at the Waltham YMCA.  

Director Jack Fucci, a Lexington resident, will open the club to homeless and low-income families from Waltham and Lexington with sports, activities, games and food and drink.  Lexington volunteers will support YMCA staff in running the events for the participants from 1-3:30pm

• Lunch with seniors in the Senior Villages in Lexington (Countryside, Greeley, Vynebrooke).  

Vounteers will serve lunch and engage in conversation with seniors to reflect on the life and lessons from Dr. King’s work.  Lunches will run between 12-2pm.

• Card-making for veterans, hospitalized citizens and homeless. 

• Goods donations collected, organized and delivered for homeless families.  

We are in need of volunteers for these programs (almost 100 have signed up so far) and are excited by the outpouring of interest to date.  If you are interested in taking part in a first of its kind event to serve the community, please register online for volunteering at http://vols.pt/hvRvKD or contact Sam Zales, event organizer atszales@gmail.com

MLK Day of Service wraps up with a re-grouping for all volunteers at Cary Hall to reflect on the learning from the day, with information sharing on a broad set of philanthropic organizations to support locally, so that participants turn the 1st Annual Day of Service into an ongoing commitment to serve those less fortunate.

This program is modeled after a very successful MLK Day of Service in Cambridge, MA.  From its founding four years ago, the MLK Day of Service in that town has surpassed the involvement of 1,300 volunteers, matched and working to support those less fortunate in their communities, the growth rate of which we hope to achieve in Lexington.  The event is being organized by the Lexington CommUNITY Committee for Commemorating MLK Day and we are greatly appreciative of local business sponsors who are providing in-kind donations for the event.