MLK Day Of Service Projects: How To Help In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a nationwide day of service honoring the legacy of the late civil rights leader. This year, it will be held on Monday, Jan. 19. Organized service projects have taken the place of the traditional work or school holidays in recent years.

King is the only non-president to have a national holiday named in his honor. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a day of service.

In Arlington, a Volunteer Fair will take place Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Washington-Liberty High School at 1301 North Stafford St. This is an opportunity for people to sign up for day-of-service projects. The opening program, which begins at 9 a.m., will include a presentation of the 2026 Beloved Community Award.

Following the award presentation, volunteers will be free to begin their projects and travel off-site if necessary.

Here are 10 more ways for Arlington residents to serve:

1. Host a National Day of Service project in your community.

2. Volunteer for a hunger project to continue King’s work to combat poverty and hunger, or sign up to host a virtual event.

3. Volunteer at local homeless shelters or soup kitchens.

4. Check off items from your kids’ teachers’ wish lists on Amazon or some other site.

5. Clean up a local park or around your neighborhood, either through an organized litter removal effort or on your own.

6. Go through your pantry, closets, basement, and garage, and bag up non-perishables and gently used items to donate.

7. Make a commitment to join one of these civil rights organizations.

8. Visit an assisted living facility or local nursing home. Spend time with the residents through conversation and joining them in activities.

9. Arrange with the hospital in advance to read to children at a local hospital or shelter, and then leave the books behind.

10. Send thank-you notes to service and essential workers, including police and emergency responders, health care providers, teachers, snow plow drivers, mail carriers, grocery clerks, or anyone else who performs duties that increase community well-being.