Have you made your plans? Get involved!

Each year on the third Monday of January, the nation observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and reflects on the work that still needs to be done for racial equality. This year, make it more than just a day off and take time to both reflect and participate.

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A National Day of Service to Celebrate Dr. King’s Legacy

In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” 

If you are looking for an opportunity to serve in our local community, the Gators Volunteer website is a great place to start. This spring, UF will be launching an initiative to encourage students, faculty and staff to share their time by getting out into the community and finding volunteer opportunities. The MLK Day of Service is the first in a series of service events coming this spring.

You can also contribute to UF’s student-led MLK Day of Service efforts, sponsored by the David & Wanda Brown Center for Leadership and Service, by donating PPE and toiletry items to GRACE Marketplace. To do so, access the Day of Service Registration Form and sign up under the “Drop and Go” heading.

Additional information on statewide and national efforts may be found on AmeriCorps’ MLK Day website.

 

The King Center

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change YouTube Channel

 

UF Events:

UF Multicultural and Diversity Affairs

The University of Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is an annual campus-wide committee under the direction of Multicultural and Diversity Affairs in the Division of Student Affairs. The campus-wide celebration brings together many student organizations and university departments to make the celebration a success.

 

Local Events:

MLK Day Events in Gainesville, FL

 

Nationwide Events:

Atlanta History Center

MLK Birth Home Virtual Tour

MLK Memorial Library Tour

Civil and Human Rights Virtual Tour

 

Day of Service Ideas and Opportunities

• Have a pre-paid meal delivered to someone
• Donate to a charitable cause
• Call and check up on someone, provide encouragement
• Clean out your closets/homes and donate items to a local shelter, goodwill or salvation army
• Donate books to a local school or a free library
• Deliver food donations, blankets, sleeping bags to a local shelter
• Offer to mow a neighbor’s lawn
• COVID-19 Volunteer Service Support in Alachua County
• Keep Alachua County Beautiful