5 Ways To Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Today marks 27 years since Americans first celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a federal holiday. The day has since transformed into a nationwide day of service.

Here are five ideas to help make the day more meaningful:

• Read and watch King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963.
• Volunteer in the community. Patch lists several local service opportunities. The organization All for Good, in collaboration with the Corporation for National and Community Service, also provides a listing of today's local service projects.
• Read about the African-American civil rights movement. Ranging from children's picture books to biographies, the Perry Hall Library offers plenty of ways to stay informed (The library is closed today, but keep this in mind as an activity tomorrow or throughout the week.)
• Learn more about diversity in Perry Hall. The U.S. Census Bureau's New American FactFinder provides plenty of interesting facts about local demographics. 
• Have fun with the family. With the kids off of school, make a craft, bake a treat or bundle up and play outdoors. Search "family" on Perry Hall Patch for ideas.

What is your dream for the community? Tell us in the comments.