Highland Park's MLK Day Of Service Planned For Jan. 20

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — On Monday, Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the City of Highland Park will host its 11th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. The event will be held at the recreation center in Highland Park.

"The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service," city officials said in a recent news release. "The MLK Day of Service moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community."

Highland Park’s own Lynn Epps will present a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and The North Shore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, featuring children from the ages of 2-11, will share facts about the life of Dr. King in performance.

Back by popular demand is a spectacular performance by the Jesse White Tumbling Team, stepping over barriers and reaching for new heights.

Service projects will include:

• assembling toiletries for hospitalized veterans and the USO
• creating Valentine messages for Operation Support Our Troops (Braeside PTO)
• creating clothing care packages for homeless youth (A Safe Place For Help)
• writing notes to welcome campers to special camps (SCOPE)
• making cards for kids in hospitals (Kicking Kancer)
• preparing warmth boxes for the less fortunate (Families Helping Families Chicagoland)
• assembling creative care packages for survivors of domestic violence (Rotary Club)

Service vendors are seeking the following donations, which should be dropped off at the event between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:

• toiletries
• non-expired
• non-perishable food items (Moraine Township Food Pantry)
• winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves (Tree Hugs)
• gently used musical instruments (Ravinia Festival’s Reach, Teach, & Play)
• new stuffed animals (Zac's Zoo)
• Hygiene/sanitary product donations for P.A.D.S
• bicycles in any condition (Working Bikes)

Overflow parking is available at Wolters Field with a shuttle bus running between Wolters and the Recreation Center from 9:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Learn more at www.cityhpil.com/MLK.