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By Jason McLaughlin, outreach specialist, Washington Service Corps
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service encourages Americans to volunteer to honor Dr. King’s legacy. Through service and volunteerism, we have the power to bring people together, help others stand together against hate, build bridges, heal divides, and create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dreams.
August 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s historic 'I Have a Dream' speech. His call for Americans to unite in pursuit of a shared vision of freedom and justice continues to inspire us six decades later to come together in service to ensure every individual is valued, respected and treated with dignity and compassion. Service to others cuts through forces that try to divide us. It gives communities across the nation a way to build bridges, break down barriers and reveal our common humanity.
Join us this MLK Day to build a Beloved Community through unity, service and transformation. Volunteer to create lasting change that will benefit our communities for years.
Pledge to make a difference this MLK Day
Join us for a day of service. Find a complete list of upcoming MLK Day service projects on the Washington Service Corps website. The following events in Vancouver, Olympia, Puyallup and Fircrest are a small sample of volunteer opportunities available.
· City of Vancouver AmeriCorps Members — Vancouver
Take Root: A community planting day for environmental equity. In honor of Dr. King’s legacy, we will promote equal access to restored green space by planting native trees and plants throughout the urban natural area at Sam Brown Park.
Dr. Julian Ankney, campus director of Native American Programs at Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver, and Dr. Desiree Hellegers, director of the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice at WSU Vancouver, will open the day with a conversation about environmental and racial justice.
· Center for Natural Lands Management — Olympia
Join AmeriCorps member Indigo in removing invasive scotch broom at the Glacial Heritage Preserve. Join the movement with thousands of other people across the country volunteering to make their communities a better place! Find more information on the Washington Service Corps website or email ssvolunteers@cnlm.org.
· Pierce Conservation District — Puyallup & Fircrest
Help us honor the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr by enhancing community green spaces and improving habitat at one of our local restoration sites. Help support wildlife, pollinators and water quality by removing invasive vegetation and caring for native plants.
For nearly 30 years, the impact of MLK Day of Service has increased as more Americans have embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities where we live, work and play. This MLK Day of Service, join us in service to strengthen ties to our communities and one another while addressing critical issues that divide us.
Learn more and volunteer at AmeriCorps.gov/MLKDay and at upcoming MLK Day Service projects — Washington Service Corps.
Serve today for a better tomorrow!
Pictured: Jason McLaughlin