Share

On January 16^th, Radio Flyer is honoring and celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day by taking part in MLK Day of Service. Keep reading to learn more about the federal holiday and how you can take action.

What is MLK Day?

MLK Day was declared a federal holiday in 1983 to celebrate the civil rights leader’s legacy. On January 16^th, one way to honor the contributions and commitment of Martin Luther King Jr. is to participate in public service.  The purpose of this holiday is to inspire individuals and organizations to give back to people and places in need.

What is MLK Day of Service?

MLK Day of Service is observed on the third Monday each January. It is a way to give back and make change while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through volunteerism and service.

Did you know that this is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Volunteering can help improve our communities and make them more equitable. Learn more about MLK Day of Service here.

How Can I Participate?

Flyers will spend MLK Day of Service participating in remote and in-person volunteering in the greater Chicagoland area. Below are a few organizations Radio Flyer will be supporting. Keep reading to learn more about the organizations and how you can help!

• Share Our Spare: Share Our Spare's mission is to ensure every child in Chicago has the essentials they need to thrive in the first five years of life by distributing resources to families in poverty.
• Big Shoulders: In its 29-year history, Big Shoulders has helped children in achieve their dreams through access to a quality, values-based education.
• BreakThrough: Breakthrough partners with those affected by poverty to build connections, develop skills, and open doors of opportunity.
• Beyond Hunger: Beyond Hunger’s mission is to harness the power of community to end local hunger through hunger-relief programs in 13 zip-codes across the Chicago area.
• Nourishing Hope: Nourishing Hope is Chicago’s largest and longest-operated food pantries. Their mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty in the community.

Or, if you’re interested in patriating in your own day of service, check out these volunteer-match resources to find opportunities near you: volunteermatch.org and createthegood.aarp.org.

What are additional ways my family can celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Learning about Martin Luther King Jr. is a great way to spark and continue conversations with your children. PBS Kids highlights a book list perfect for kids of all ages with topics that range from stories about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life to doing what’s right and giving back. Below are a few titles for all ages.

• “City Garden” by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan shows how the power of kindness can flourish like flowers in a garden and brighten a community.
• “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport illustrates the power of speech and how Martin Luther King Jr.’s used his words to fight for justice.
• “Freedom Summer” by author Deborah Wiles is a story of two friends navigating an unfriendly world and finding the power of friendship.

Check out a few more ideas:

• Local Events: Check out your community calendar to see if there are any free, family events to celebrate and commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Crafts: Color Martin Luther King Jr. with this free printable from The Purposeful Nest or create a handprint dove craft by Happy Toddler Playtime. 

We hope these opportunities and activities spark ideas for your family to get involved and give back this MLK Day of Service.