2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events Guide
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 18, 2016. Here's where to come together, serve and celebrate this MLK Day in the Philadelphia area.
Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
www.mlkdayofservice.org
The 21th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service returns to Philadelphia. This is the largest King Day event in the nation, according to their website. Last year, organizers say tens of thousands of people throughout the tri-state area received vital services and resources as part of the day of service. To volunteer or submit a project, visit the website.
Here are a few service projects around the region:
MLK Day of Service
United Way
https://unitedforimpact.org/ways-to-engage/volunteer/mlk-day
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is a proud supporter and sponsor of this annual day of volunteering. On January 18, 2016, United Way will be hosting a project at Girard College, the signature site of the King Day of Service.
In addition, United Way helped recruit local nonprofits to participate in the annual Give Camp initiative, a weekend-long event prior to MLK weekend where software developers, designers and database administrators donate their time to organizations by creating custom software solutions that will transform the way they service others. To sign up as a Philly Give Camp technological volunteer, visit http://www.phillygivecamp.org/volunteer/.
Unitarian Society of Germantown
6511 Lincoln Dr
Philadelphia, Pa.
usguu.org
Cherry Hill Township MLK Day Collection Drive
Cherry Hill, NJ
http://www.cherryhill-nj.com/
Cherry Hill Township is hosting their second Martin Luther King Day of Service collection drive. The collection effort will support four local charities: the Cherry Hill Food Pantry, the Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, the American Red Cross and the Cherry Hill Public Library. Volunteers will come together Monday, Jan. 18, to sort the items. To sign up to volunteer and for a complete list of items being collected and drop off locations, click here.
YMCA of Greater Brandywine
West Chester, Pa.
www.ymcagbw.org/mlk-service
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine will take part in the 21st Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service. On January 18, hundreds of volunteers will gather at Y branches and service project sites to give back to the community.
Mount Holly Township Toy Drive and Card Making
Mount Holly Township, NJ
On Monday, Jan. 18, Mount Holly Township, the Recreation Department, and Township schools will host a Toy Drive and Card Making community service project, as part of the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service. Open to the public, community members are invited to drop off new toys to benefit the Virtua Foundation and children at Virtua Memorial Hospital and make cards for those at the Virtua Health and Rehabilitation Center long-term care facility on Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Folwell Elementary School in Mount Holly.
Day of Service at the National Constitution Center
525 Arch St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.constitutioncenter.org
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., $5 admission
The National Constitution Center will offer discounted admission and a full day of activities. Take part in service projects, make arts and crafts, watch live musical performances and of course, check out all the museum's exhibits.
Now and up until Martin Luther King Jr. Day the National Constitution Center will serve as a drop-off point for anyone who wishes to donate books as well as school supplies including pens, pencils, crayons, copy papers, hand sanitizer and folders for Philadelphia school students. Items can be dropped off at the Center's box office.
MLK Weekend Celebration
African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.aampmuseum.org
Jan. 15 - 18
There will be special events and activities including interactive exhibits, readings, workshops and live performances. General admission is $2 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Philadelphia Orchestra's Martin Luther King Tribute Concert
Girard College Chapel
2101 S College Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.philorch.org
1:30 p.m., FREE, but tickets are required
Join the Philadelphia Orchestra at Girard College for their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert. The concert is free but tickets are required and will be made available on January 6, 2016, at philorch.org.
MLK Weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.easternstate.org
Sat, Sun and Monday at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; FREE, but tickets are required
Eastern State Penitentiary remembers Dr. King with three daily readings of his 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.). Free tickets are required and available online (must be claimed 30 minutes prior to start of reading) or at the door, subject to availability.
In partnership with Art Sanctuary, children ages 7-12 and their families can create art in response to themes found in the letter, and read stories about Dr. King's life and legacy. Family activities are available from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, free and open to the public. No reservations required.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Ben Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.philamuseum.org
Jan. 16 – 19
To celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., the PMA is hosting a Day of Service, a family program open to the public. Visitors can create artwork which will be collected and distributed by MANNA. Family tours, activities and performances are also scheduled.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Program
The Free Library of Philadelphia
Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch
5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Philadelphia, Pa.
Jan. 13, 4 p.m.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday with a special activity at the Cobbs Creek branch.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Day
National Museum of American Jewish History
101 S Independence Mall E
Philadelphia, Pa.
http://www.nmajh.org/
Jan. 18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The National Museum of American Jewish History is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day filled with gallery talks on the Civil Rights era, Sister Cities Girl Choir performance, interactive drum sessions with school percussion group, Drummers With Attitude, documentary screenings, and family-friendly activities. The museum will also be holding a book drive and raising funds for the Right Books Campaign, which partners with the School District of Philadelphia.
Honoring The Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Franklin Institute
222 N 20th St
Philadelphia, Pa.
https://www.fi.edu/
The Franklin Institute is planning a series of events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday on January 18. All activities are free with general admission.
