MLK Day Service Projects: How To Help In Newton

NEWTON, MA — Since it became a national holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been dubbed by groups and organizations nationwide as "a day on" as opposed to a "day off" in memory of the late civil rights icon and his tireless work.

Organized service projects and activism have taken the place of the traditional holiday in recent years. In 2021, restrictions in place to slow the further spread of the coronavirus mean the good deeds and activism will look different this year on Jan. 18.

The West Suburban YMCA's day of service has been turned into almost a month of service. Until Jan. 24, they are encouraging the community to help them reach out to seniors, many of whom have been isolated in their homes since the pandemic broke out last March.

For this year's MLK Day of service the YMCA is putting together care packages of succulents, a handmade item card or bookmark, and a puzzle book with a pencil, eraser, and sharpener for the clients of Newton At Home (a non-profit organization founded by a small group of Newton residents who wanted to support older Newton residents).

"These packages will brighten their homes, provide opportunities for mental stimulation, and connect us to our neighbors in safe and comforting ways," the YMCA said.

How You Can Participate
Create a Card or Bookmark: If you would like to make one of the handmade cards and bookmarks the PDF templates are available below. They are asking for all cards and bookmarks to be returned to the West Suburban YMCA at 276 Church St. in Newton no later than Jan. 24.

• MLK Day of Service Craft Templates

Sponsor a Care Package by Donating: If you wish to support this project in an entirely virtual format, please consider sponsoring a care package. Just $20 covers the cost of 1 care package and the YMCA is hoping to distribute more than 150 care packages. To donate online, go to https://donate.wsymca.org/mlkday2021.

Then there's Newton's Neighbors Helping Neighbors: This group popped up in 2020 in response to the pandemic, but the very grassroots organization is planning a virtual day of service, connecting people in the community with local social service and community support organizations, too.

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

Those have included Boston, where local volunteer organization Boston Cares usually draws hundreds every year to a service program that has turned into one of the city’s signature yearly events.

This year, the Boston Cares will hold virtual A Day ON, Not Off program for MLK Day.
"To continue our tradition of honoring Dr.King's legacy through service in 2021, Boston Cares will host a Community Weekend of virtual opportunities focused on ways to serve and improve our community through educational opportunities, discussions about community issues, volunteer trainings, and remote service," according to the group's website.

Brandeis University in Waltham is holding its 11th Annual MLK Interfaith Day of Service from 10-11:30 am through social justice discussions and advocacy projects. Register for the event online in advance.

And as always there are several other ways to help those in need in or near Newton.

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.