4th Annual Lexington MLK Day of Service

The Town of Lexington will hold its 24th commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with its 4th Annual MLK Day of Service by committing our community to taking part in assisting those less fortunate. Our objective is to engage and mobilize young people and adults to participate in events and activities to serve others, united in philanthropy under the auspices of the Town Celebrations Committee. Our target this year is to serve 2,000+ people through 400+ volunteers.

The Program and content planned for this day includes:

• 9–10:30 a.m. at Grace Chapel – Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association (LICA) and Lexington Human Rights Council sponsor a Community Dialogue on Race. An opportunity to discuss in small groups ways to employ Dr. King's principles, tactics and strategies to achieve greater equality and justice.
• 11 a.m. Unity Walk from the Lexington Battle Green to Cary Hall. Come and join our community in this fun and symbolic show of unity and solidarity in the name of equality and social justice.
• 11:30 a.m. at Cary Hall Musical Performances – Brief, powerful and uplifting performances by Lexington literary performer Regie O’Hare Gibson and Special Needs Arts Program (SNAP) Sing Along Chorus.

For details on Lexington's MLK Day of Service, visit lexingtonmlk.org.

"We want to give people a true sense of service by providing not only stimulating and enriching content but also activities where giving back to those in need is its own reward and impetus to participate", says Nelson Ortiz, Lexington MLK Day of Service volunteer.

As part of service activities you can sign up for, we have:

• Lunch with Seniors, 12:30–2:30 p.m. at Countryside, Vynebrooke, and Greeley Villages. Two volunteers (or a family) at each village will set up, serve, clean up lunch, and join in conversation with residents about life in Lexington in the light of Martin Luther King’s legacy.
• YMCA Community Day and Free Clothes Boutique Donations, 1–3:30 p.m. at Waltham YMCA, 725 Lexington St, Waltham. Program of activities for children and adults (games, sports, reading, Zumba, story time, swimming, etc.) including lunch. We are also seeking and accepting donations of gently used clothes and shoes for all ages to add to our complementary Free Clothes Boutique. Underprivileged families residing in Waltham and other communities’ hotels and shelters are invited to participate.
• Charitable Donation Drop-offs, 9 a.m. –3 p.m. at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthern Road, Lexington. Donate non-perishable food items for the Lexington Food Pantry; new toys for Birthday Wishes; books, DVDs, CDs, video games and other media for More Than Words; gently-worn kids clothing (winter layers for kids preferred), well-preserved used toys for Cradles to Crayons, and monetary donations to keep our Day of Service impactful and vibrant. Note: For Cradles to Crayons ONLY, used toys can also be dropped off at the Lexington Police Department at 1575 Mass. Ave., Lexington.
• Cradles to Crayons Task Force, 11 a.m. –1 p.m. at 155 North Beacon Street, Brighton, MA. Organize, distribute, clean/prep goods for reaching families in need in Boston area (Brighton warehouse).
• Card-Making activity, 1–4 p.m. at Lexington Montessori School, 130 Pleasant Street, Lexington. Hands-on crafts activity to create greeting cards for underserved populations such as Veterans, hospitalized children, and handicapped adults. On-site performances by Music Makes Me Happy Chorus, Orkestra Marhaba and other local musicians.
• New! Birthday Goody Bag Stuffing while Serving Seniors at Waltham Crossing, 1:30–3:30 p.m., 126 Smith St. Waltham. Serve the senior residents of this community and join them in making birthday goody bags for homeless children in a family-friendly environment with on-site musical performances by Music Makes Me Happy Chorus
• NEW! Scarf-Making activity, 12:00–3 p.m. at Cary Hall. Family-friendly scarf-making and winter wear creations for the needy.
• NEW! Sand for Seniors activities, across Lexington. With the cold and slippery New England weather upon us, help deliver buckets of sand to senior citizens in need of some safe footing outside their home. Thank you to the Lexington Housing Authority for donating the materials to be delivered.