Sign-ups are open now through Jan. 12 for the United Way of Bartholomew County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16, according to organizers. Opportunities are available for those as young as 15 years old.
Last year, volunteers, including those at workplaces such as Toyota Material Handling and Century 21 Breeden Realtors completed a variety of tasks at such places as Love Chapel food pantry, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, and the Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund storage facility. Others pitched in at places such as the Bartholomew County Public Library and Sans Souci.
The Day of Service is set aside to encourage residents to learn from the example of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who served others during the civil rights movement by pushing for equal rights for all and battling racism. King was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
This year, opportunities are available at locations such as Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, Brighter Days Emergency Housing, the America and Roby Anderson Center and other places.
A number of past volunteers have said they chose to work on behalf of agencies and organizations on the special day to honor King’s years of selflessness on behalf of the poor and struggling. King had been in Memphis on the day of his death to speak on behalf of underpaid sanitation workers there, most of whom were Black.
To sign up online for a volunteer slot, visit https://www.uwbarthco.org/ and click on MLK Day of Service where a registration link is available.
