Various organizations will hold a day of community service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Residents of all ages are invited to partake in activities at Friendship Park, 69 Hibiscus Dr., in Key Largo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20.
The day will include a ribbon-cutting and dedication of a Little Community Library. Attendees may bring a book to donate and help stock the library.
A cleanup on U.S. 1 gives residents the chance to join Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies. The cleanup will take place on the north and south sides of Friendship Park. Participants should bring work gloves and a water bottle and wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable clothes for outdoor activities.
An interactive story walk will take place through Friendship Park, presented by the Key Largo library. This walk will educate visitors about King’s contributions to civil rights.
There will also be a food drive to restock St. Justin’s Food Pantry. The community can help local families in need by donating peanut butter, jelly, cereal, pasta sauce, canned tuna, soup, dried noodles/spaghetti and reusable shopping bags. The food pantry is a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating food insecurity in our community.
Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr., Day is a federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of King and improve their communities.
“During lunch one day, my friends and I noticed the Upper Keys didn’t have any events planned honoring MLK Jr. Day, so we decided to plan one in the hope this would become an annual event,” said event organizer Sue Woltanski.
Participating organizations include the Hibiscus Community Center, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Key Largo Public Library, League of Women Voters of the Upper Keys, Blue Horizons, Upper Keys Women for Democracy and Upper Keys Young Democrats.
King Jr. famously asked, “What are you doing for others?” This Day of Service is a chance to answer that question by giving back to the community.
More information is available from Woltanski at 305-240-1565 or kingwolt@yahoo.com.
