1-13-2024 11:35pm

Martin Luther King Day of Service Monday January 15th, 2024

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo hosted a celebration of Dr. King at Alameda Park this past Saturday under the organization of Chris Rollerson and several others, with speeches, a proclamation, fellowship, singing a march and free hotdogs and hot chocolate. Services will be held at area churches on Sunday remembering the contributions of Dr King and his legacy. Monday is the official day of recognizing Dr. King with national parks like White Sands National Park providing free entry.

The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is a call to action.

MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities.

Local churches are always seeking volunteers as are the schools, parks that need maintenance and just sweeping a city street or you can organize a street clean up by sweeping the curbs on your own street. Come to New York Avenue, help with a community garden or Alameda park with a broom and sweep the curbs. Help at the newly opened homeless shelter on Delaware Street.

Community cleanup days are always a great way to volunteer and don’t need organization, just grab a broom and dustpan and just do it on your own or with a friend.

Whatever you desire MLK Day and weekend is a reminder that we are all in this community together, we need to get along, unite for good and build a better community together via service to one another.