MLK Day of Service Ideas

I love this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" It's the perfect springboard for this coming Monday's Martin Luther King Day of Service. If the kids are out of school and you're still looking for ways to participate in this national event, here are 25 ideas to get you started.
  1. Enter your zip code at the MLK Day of Service website to find organized projects right in your area.
  2. Join up with other families to plan something together, like a food drive.
  3. Take donuts and coffee to your local police precinct or firehouse to thank them for their service.
  4. Prepare hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, soap, etc.) for a women's shelter.
  5. Pick up litter at your local park or playground.
  6. Donate blood.
  7. Organize a fitness event or sports tournament to promote health.
  8. Gather up old cell phones and donate them to Cell Phones for Soldiers.
  9. Prepare a meal and take it to a homebound neighbor.
  10. Donate professional/dress clothes to Dress for Success.
  11. Help kids support healthy eating choices with activities and education from Choose My Plate.
  12. Arrange to read stories at a children's hospital.
  13. Take a set of checkers or a deck of cards and visit elderly friends for an afternoon of games.
  14. Serve or prepare food at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
  15. Gather unused coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to donate to a charity.
  16. Prepare hygiene kits and sanitation supplies to classrooms to help prevent the spread of colds and flu.
  17. Pay for the order of the person behind you in line at the coffee shop, dry cleaners, or convenience store.
  18. Organize a bake sale and donate the proceeds to a charity like Alex's Lemonade Stand.
  19. Organize a book drive for your school library.
  20. Plant trees in your neighborhood.
  21. Write letters or send care packages to troops.
  22. Offer to walk a busy neighbor's dog.
  23. Create recycling bins for your office, home, or classroom.
  24. Rake leaves or shovel snow for elderly or disabled neighbors.
  25. Find something in your neighborhood, school, park, or community that is in disrepair and work together to fix it.
Still need inspiration? Watch this video. {Image via City Year Detroit.}
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