10th Annual MLK Day of Service

The Town of Lexington will hold our 30^th commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with our 10^th Annual MLK Day of Service by shepherding our community to take part in assisting those in need.

Our objective is to engage and mobilize people of all ages to participate in events and activities to serve others.

United in philanthropy under the auspices and sponsorship of Lexington’s Human Rights Committee and the Town Celebrations Committee, our target this year is to serve 2,500+ people through 700+ volunteers.

We have adjusted this year’s MLK Day of Service to be in part virtually attended as well as including at-home activities.

This helps those who are sensitive and more immuno-compromised safe and healthy.

We hope you will take some time to join us online, at home or in-person at this year’s events and activities.

Virtual & In-Person Events

To sign up and volunteer, visit the Lexington MLK website.

Got questions? Email us at lexingtoncommunity@gmail.com.

Note: All morning programming will be in person and take place at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd, Lexington.

Morning

Commemoration Program and Performance Opening Ceremony

Note: Lex Media will record and broadcast the Opening Ceremony.

9:00 – 9:30 AM
Brief and uplifting performances by Lexington literary performer Regie O’Hare Gibson and MLK-inspired Middle School winning essay.

Annual Community Conversation on Race

10 – 11:45 AM
This year’s conversation will be around “Moving Beyond the Conversation: How Fear Divides Us and What We Can Do About It”. We honor Dr. King’s legacy by exploring his thoughts on the nature of fear and the power of hope, faith, and love in action to transform individuals and communities. This interactive learning experience will be led by Mia Roberts and Joyce Swagerty from Fresh Horse, LLC.

This session will be closed by a performance by the Special Needs Arts Program (SNAP) Sing Along Chorus.

Unity Walk

12:15 PM and leave by 12:30 PM
Unity Walk starting from Grace Chapel arriving at Minuteman Statue at 12:45 p.m. then Lexington Battle Green and ending at Cary Memorial Hall.

Afternoon

To register for programs and receive Zoom links, or to volunteer, visit the Lexington MLK website.

Free Minds Poetry

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Virtual - register at the Lexington MLK website to receive the Zoom link
Connects incarcerated writers to the community.

Join Repair the World and fellow volunteers online via Zoom to learn about incarceration, while reading and responding directly to writings by currently incarcerated individuals. Help these people to feel heard and build connection to community.

Adult and mature teen volunteers who have a computer and an internet connection are invited to join this interactive discussion to improve education for those incarcerated today.

Dismantling Racism

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Virtual - register at the Lexington MLK website to receive the Zoom link
Many of us want to be antiracist. Oftentimes, antiracism is conceived in ways that are unintentionally excluding of many. We need to ask ourselves when we work toward racial justice, who all are we including? Join us!

MLK Day Volunteer Activities throughout Lexington, Waltham (YMCA) and Brighton (Boston)

Charitable Donation Drop-offs

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington.

Donate:

non-perishable food items for the Lexington Food Pantry
new toys for girls ages 6-12 for Birthday Wishes
books, DVDs, CDs, video games and other media for More Than Words
gently worn kids clothing (winter layers for kids preferred)
well-preserved used toys for Cradles to Crayons
monetary donations to keep our Day of Service impactful and vibrant
gift card and new Winter clothes Drop-off for Youth On Fire and Boston GLASS. Donate gift cards and new winter gear (sleeping bags, blankets, socks, jackets), and public transport Charlie Cards (to help youth get services) for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

Food sorting, packaging, and composting for children, youth and families at risk

2:00 – 4:00 PM
Food Link, 108 Summer St, Arlington, MA
Register to volunteer at the Lexington MLK website.

Join volunteers in sorting and packaging food from waste streams like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wegmans, and others to be delivered to over 30 non-profit organizations in Arlington, Lexington, Boston and Lawrence.

Food Link was just awarded the EPA’s Environmental Merit Award in New England.

Teens for In-Home Help for Seniors

2:00 – 4:00 PM
Register to volunteer at the Lexington MLK website.
Help senior citizens with small, indoor or outdoor jobs and around their homes like changing hard to reach light bulbs or batteries in smoke detector, raking leaves, clearing snow from walkways, refilling bird feeders, picking up boxed donations to drop off at Goodwill, donating food items to the Food Pantry and more.

Youth and Family Charitable Online Activity

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Register to volunteer and receive the Zoom link at the Lexington MLK website.
Join a youth-focused discussion and charitable activity in support of Catie's Closet, a local organization dedicated to improving student's school attendance, emotional well-being, grade progression, and ultimately, graduation rates by providing in-school access to clothing and basic necessities to students who are homeless, living in poverty or low income.

At-Home Card Making plus Optional Online Card-Making

Make cards of gratitude at your home to be given to the Veterans at the Bedford VA, active overseas military personnel, the many healthcare workers at Lawrence Community Health Centers, and essential workers in Lexington.

Blank cards can be picked up at Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road, Lexington, starting December 12, or requested to be dropped off at your home.

Note: 'Thank You' cards to Veterans at Bedford VA and Healthcare Workers in Lawrence Community Health Centers will be hand delivered to the recipients. The 'Thank you' cards to essential workers in Lexington will be put on display at prominent locations around town.