MLK Ceremony, Day Of Service Set For This Weekend

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Rev. Marcia Stanford of Macedonia United Methodist Church in Ocean City, will deliver the keynote address during Ocean City’s annual ceremony in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 13, city officials announced on Monday.

The ceremony, set for 1 p.m. at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center, comes two days before the city’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. It will also feature songs from Michelle Harris-Anderson, a former Miss Ocean City, former Miss Delaware and member of the Ocean City High School Class of 1989.

Two Ocean City residents will be honored for their community service during the ceremony. Robert Rowell, a volunteer who has helped clean and maintain the grounds of the Ocean City Housing Authority properties will be recognized, as weill Ocean City High School freshman Julia Wilson. Wilson is a vocalist who is a friend to and advocate for veterans.

The Rev. Beth Mallozzi of The Shores at Wesley Manor will deliver the invocation and Joe Pratt of the Ocean City Ecumenical Council will deliver the closing prayer. Ocean City Intermediate School Principal Geoff Haines will announce the winners of a student essay contest. Nia Andrews, the current Miss Philadelphia and a runner-up to Miss Pennsylvania, will perform a liturgical dance selection.

After the program, everybody is invited to a free soul food dinner in the high school cafeteria. The menu includes fried chicken and other comfort food. Donations will be accepted and benefit OCNJ CARE. The Hughes Performing Arts Center is at Ocean City High School, and the entrance is on the beach block of Sixth Street.

Volunteers are invited to join others nationwide in a Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15. The Day of Service is a “Day On, Not a Day Off,” and honors King’s contributions. In Ocean City, citizens are asked to participate in a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign-up, supply distribution and lunch will take place at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center, located in the Community Center, 17th Street and Simpson Avenue.

All volunteers are invited back to the Senior Center for food and refreshments after the event. To participate or for more information, call 609-399-6111.

The attached images were provided by Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen

Nia Andrews

Michelle Harris-Anderson