Community Corner
Forest Preserve District Seeks MLK Day Volunteers
On Monday, Jan. 16, volunteers can choose to help with brush removal or pick up litter at Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access in Joliet.
The Forest Preserve District of Will County has scheduled a special program for those who want to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day giving back to the community.
The Volunteer Morning program is set for 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 16, at Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access in Joliet.
During the three-hour event, volunteers can choose to either remove invasive woody brush or walk one of the many trails to remove litter.
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“We offer an annual MLK Day of Service program because it honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and his teachings by engaging in community action,” said Emily Kenny, the Forest Preserve’s volunteer services supervisor. “MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.”
Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access will be a perfect location for the MLK Day program, Kenny said.
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“There is a great hub of trails there, so volunteers can walk the paths, including those in Hammel Woods, clearing them of litter."
Registration is required
Registration is required to participate, and space is limited. To get started, complete a waiver online. For information, contact Kenny at 815-722-7364 or volunteerservices@fpdwc.org.
Please wear clothes appropriate for the weather, getting dirty and being near a fire. Bringing water and snacks is recommended. The ground will be uneven and covered with vegetation or snow, so please wear sturdy footwear.
Also, the Forest Preserve is partnering with Catholic Charities on its MLK Day event hosted by Joliet Central High School. The event kicks off in the high school's cafeteria, at 201 E. Jefferson St., Joliet. Breakfast and registration take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Afterward, volunteers will head to their various locations, and they can return to the Joliet Central site for lunch and project recaps from noon to 1 p.m.
Volunteers participating in the breakfast and lunch activities at Joliet Central need to complete the Forest Preserve's MLK Day volunteer waiver if they intend on volunteering at Rock Run.
For more information on Forest Preserve District of Will County volunteer programs, visit the Volunteer Page.
