Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service Brings out Best in Friends and Neighbors
Portland, OR. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and called for an end to racism in the United States. 54 years later, the Weekend of Service honoring MLK is on track to be the most popular, yet. Volunteer shifts in Portland on Friday and Saturday were filled with friends and neighbors. The United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Hands On Greater Portland still have a few opportunities for Sunday and Monday, which can be seen by clicking here. Volunteers say they continue to be inspired by King’s legacy.
Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” The MLK Day of Service is a part of Serve.gov, the President’s national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”
Here are some other volunteer options for Sunday and Monday organized by The United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Hands On Greater Portland.
Beaverton
1:00am Knit for Newborns (age 6+)
Portland
10:00am DeRail the Nails: An Adventure in Sustainable Salvage (age 14+)Â
3:00pm Potluck in the Park Recycling and Clean Up Crew (age 16+)
Vancouver
10:00am YWCA Shelter Painting Project (age 18+)
Beaverton
9:30am Bink-A-Thon: Sewing Machine Blanket Brigade! (age 12+)
9:30am Bink-A-Thon: Make Blankets for Children! (age 5+)
Hillsboro
9:00am Spruce up the Hillsboro Library (age 5+) – FULL
Portland
9:00am Kids! Sort & Package Supplies for Families @ Buckman (age 4+)Â
9:00am Garden Clean Up Day at Gilbert Park (age 12+)Â
9:00am Join SOLVE to clean up MLK Blvd! (age 16+)
9:00am Weatherize Homes with the Community Energy Project (age 18+) – FULL
9:00am Spruce Up the Hansen Shelter (age 18+)
Tigard
2:00pm Pitch-in at Tigard Library! (age 10+)
Vancouver
9:00am MLK Day Ivy Pull at Blandford Canyon (age 9+)
Many other nonprofit organizations are offering volunteer opportunities. Here’s a link to a list for more ideas: