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To Members of the LWVNYS…
Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Day is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a National Day of Service – thus, often referred to as “a day on, not a day off.”
The 2024 theme is "Living the Dream: It Starts With Me - Spreading Hope, Courage and Unity". Not only is this day an opportunity for our communities to pause and reflect on the work and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but we also have an opportunity to come together through service in honor of his life and legacy.
In today’s challenging environment, we ask membership to take advantage of this opportunity to come together with others to help foster respect for individual differences and to find unity in shared values. Dr. King believed that, along with voting, citizenship entailed an active engagement in improving communities.
Will you serve on the birthday of Dr. King… or the week of… to help build upon his dream of a Beloved Community? Your LWVNYS DEI Committee has compiled a list of “10 Ideas for Personal Growth and Volunteer Opportunities” that you or your League can participate in. Alternatives to our suggestions are easy to find as well.
And when you do pull together with your fellow Leaguers and partnering organizations, or opt to go solo, please be sure to take photos and send them to Regina Tillman, LWVNYS 3rd Vice President for DEI, with League name, date, and place for posting online: rmt370@gmail.com.
10 Ideas for Personal Growth and Volunteer Opportunities
on MLK National Day of Service 2024
1. Read: Letter From a Birmingham Jail (Penned in 1963)
https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/letter-from-birmingham-jail
2. Listen: "I Have a Dream Speech" – Audio/Transcript (Given in August 1963) https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety
3. Act: Volunteer with a local food pantry, your regional Food Bank, your area Meals on Wheels, or with your County Senior Citizen Services. (Check some of the larger community organizations that are looking for people to help them staff the volunteer efforts for January 15th that fight the scourge of food insecurity.)
4. Act: Get in touch with neighbors, friends, and family who may be vulnerable or alone.
5. Act: Do an individual clean-up - carry a bag and picker, or wear gloves on your walks during the week of National Service, whether in your neighborhood, or on the beach, or join a group doing neighborhood clean-up.
6. Attend: An inspiring interfaith or cultural celebration held in many communities such as this one being conducted in Commack NY.
https://files.constantcontact.com/cdac39f7701/7695e3c8-2e64-4fbd-848b-dce0981c967c.pdf?rdr=true
7. Act: Check your local League’s plans for conducting Voter Education/Registration at the county jail, or at new citizens naturalization ceremonies, or in low voter turnout districts. Then, sign-up this week as a member volunteer assisting in the effort of your choosing for the coming year.
8. Act: Check the LWVNYS Advocacy Webpage for opportunities to volunteer on social issues; potential actions include lobbying or writing letters/sending e-mails to public officials. https://lwvny.org/about-us-2/
9. Watch: Check “The King Center” website to sign up for educational presentations and virtually accessible events that include the Beloved Community Global Summit. https://thekingcenter.org/
10. Initiate: Start a local chapter of the "MLK Beloved Community Project" in your location, or a chapter of “Better Angels” as some of our colleagues in Saratoga are pursuing.
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A message from your
LWVNYS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
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