Royal Oak Schools MLK Day March: What To Know

ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak Schools is partnering with two nearby school districts to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King on MLK Day.

The school districts of Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak are hosting the event, "A Day On, Not a Day Off."

The event will be held at Berkley High School. located at 2325 Catalpa in Berkley starting at 9 a.m. when guest can enjoy breakfast, music and make signs for the Freedom Walk.

The Freedom Walk will then begin at 9:30 a.m. when guests will walk through the Berkley High School neighborhood.

The first 300 guests will receive a commemorative event button. All ages and members of the community are invited to attend.

After the walk, guests can participate in service projects at Berkley High School, including:

• blanket-making for those in the hospital
• sorting donations for organizations that support people in need in Metro Detroit
• making lunches for the homeless population
• creating greeting cards for first responders, veterans, and educators to lift them up for the service they provide to the public.

The event committee will also be collecting donations to support the following groups:

• Redford Brightmoor Initiative
• Cass Community Social Services
• Judson Center
• Royal Oak First United Methodist Church
• The Welcome Inn

Guests who attend the event are invited to bring donations with them. Donation items requested are listed below, or the public can donate through the Amazon Wish List.

• Food items: Canned goods, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, boxed food items, individually wrapped lunchbox items, baby food, formula
• Home items: Toilet paper, dish soap, paper towels, laundry detergent, surface cleaner, sponges, batteries, bath towels, kitchen towels
• Toiletries: Shampoo/conditioner (including the following brands: Shea Moisture, As I Am, Curls, Aunt Jackie's), deodorant, shaving cream, feminine products, bars of soap,
• Diapers and pull-ups: All sizes, no opened packages
• New children's books: Infant through middle school age
• Clothing: Socks (all sizes), underwear (men and children), winter hats (adult), infant and children’s clothing (gently used or new)

For those unable to participate in the event, the organizers encourage people to donate through the Amazon Wish List or drop off donations the morning of the event.

Items will be collected through 11:30 a.m. and then delivered that day by volunteers.