MLK Day Service Projects: How To Help In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been designated by groups and organizations nationwide as "a day on" since the third Monday of January was designated a national holiday in memory of the late civil rights icon. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, there are ways to make a positive difference in Somerset County on the Jan. 18 holiday this year.

Organized service projects have taken the place of the traditional work or school holiday in recent years. But in 2021, restrictions in place to slow the further spread of the coronavirus are impacting the ability to perform some good deeds.

The Greater Somerset County YMCA is hosting three event to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

BOOK DONATION

The community is invited to celebrate diversity by donating books that will be donated to the Somerville and Bridgewater School Districts. A wish list has been created in Amazon. Purchase directly from this list or you can purchase locally and drop off at Somerville YMCA, now through Jan. 20. View the list here.

BOOKMARK PROJECT

Volunteers are needed to decorate bookmarks to go along with the books. Pick up from the Somerville YMCA assembled packets with bookmarks and supplies to decorate at home. Volunteers are encourage to decorate with multicultural quotes or along those lines.
Pick up is available through Sunday and drop off Jan. 18 to 20.

ZOOM EVENT

On Monday at noon, the Greater Somerset County YMCA is hosting a virtual community event. Hear two local Somerville teachers read from their favorite books and stay on to make bookmarks "virtually" together (supplies available at Somerville YMCA). Registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants.

For more information on any of these event click here or contact Donna at togetherhoodsomerville@gmail.com.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, communities across the country held large events in various locations promoting service on the holiday.

Those have included Highland Park, Illinois, where the local human relations advisory group usually draws about 1,200 people every year to a service program that has turned into one of the city’s signature yearly events.

This year, the city will hold a virtual program to “honor the legacy of Dr. King's fight against inequity and his work to secure a just future for all,” Amanda Civitello, communications manager for the city of Highland Park, said in a news release.

Even if there aren’t any organized service projects planned nearby, there are several other ways to help those in need in or near Somerset County.

Donating to nonprofit organizations, volunteering with food banks and pantries, and delivering meals and groceries to seniors are a few suggestions outlined by the national volunteer program AmeriCorps.

A list of organizations supporting COVID-19 response efforts had been made available by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

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