Martin Luther King Events Set for Saturday and Monday

Three events celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King's life, work and service are scheduled for the three-day weekend coming up.

CELEBRATION AT HIGH SCHOOL

The City’s annual celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School, Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue.

Ocean City was the first community in Cape May County to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The celebration was initiated a few years after his death by the late Rozelia Cobb, a beloved teacher at the Ocean City Intermediate School.

The tradition is carried forward today by former councilman, Rev. Gregory Johnson, who will present  an inspirational reading of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” during the ceremony on Saturday.

Mayor Jay Gillian will be keynote speaker and the Bubby Fan Gospel Group will perform. Carly Del Sorda will sing a solo. Sandy volunteers, including those from OCNJCARE, the group that continues to assist those affected by the storm and City first responders will be honored. Ocean City Business Administrator Michael Dattilo will emcee. The event is free and open to the public.

DAY OF SERVICE

The City of Ocean City in conjunction with the Ocean City Clean Communities Program will hold the annual citywide clean up on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. Families, individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer and help with this important community event.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service marks the beginning of the year of service as millions of Americans honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and volunteer their time to improve their communities. Ocean City has participated in the Day of Service since 2008.

Volunteers should register and pick up supplies beginning at 9 a.m. at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center located at 1735 Simpson Avenue and should wear appropriate clothing and footwear. The city will provide gloves and trash bags.

All volunteers are invited back to the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center after the clean up for food and warm beverages.

Groups or organizations wishing to participate should call the Ocean City Public Works Department at 609-399-6111 ext. 9711 or 9702.

CROOK HORN CREEK CLEANUP

The Ocean City Community Association will hold a cleanup on Monday, Jan. 21in partnership with the Campbell Soup Company, the Ocean City Public Works Department and the Ocean City Environmental Commission. Please meet at 10 a.m. at the entrance to Crook Horn Creek nature area located at the corner of 51st Street and Haven Avenue. The time is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city will provide the bags, gloves and other cleanup tools. Refreshments will be available.

Please contact Teresa Coggshall at 267-210-0114 or e-mail her at tmcoggshall@gmail.com for more information.

— News releases from the City of Ocean City and Ocean City Community Association