Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described a “fierce urgency of now” when he spoke at the March on Washington in 1963. Now, nearly 60 years later, his words have renewed meaning. They remind us we are stronger when we march forward, together.
In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service in 1994. AmeriCorps leads the effort each year.
Observed each year on the third Monday in January — which falls on Jan. 17 in 2022 — the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. Since its inception, MLK Day of Service has grown and its impact has increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role to make communities better.
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Serving on MLK Day can be an entry point for ongoing volunteer effort and help build connections that strengthen communities. Through service we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences — all great lessons for our children.
With that in mind, here are 4 family-friendly service opportunities around Macomb, MI:
Do you know of a family-friendly or kid-friendly volunteer opportunity not listed here? Please reach out to mackidmacomb@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!
Elmer's Foundation
The Elmer's Foundation puts together snack bags and hygiene kits to drop off at shelters. Families and kids can get involved by helping make those kits. There is a list of items that they put in the kits on the Elmer's Foundation website under the Get Involved tab. Check out their website for more information about this volunteer opportunity.
Humane Society of Macomb
Volunteer at the Humane Society of Macomb. They have set volunteer programs and also community service opportunities. Check out their website here for more information about volunteering. You can also e-mail them at volunteer@humanesocietyofmacomb.org.
Macomb County Habitat for Humanity
Macomb County Habitat for Humanity has volunteer opportunities for youth 16 and older at their Shelby Township Restore, a resale store for household items. Volunteers can help organize, unload donations, and work with costumers. For more information about volunteering with Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, check out their website.
Samaritan House
Samaritan House has a number of ways to get involved. Because of Covid, they are limiting volunteers ages 14-18, but families can donate non-perishable food items (see the list on their website), deliver groceries to the home-bound, or donate a bag of food during different churches' "Adopt-A-Bag" Month. Check out their website for more information about volunteering opportunities.
How kids can help ... from home
Want more ideas on how to give back to your community that you can do from home? Here are some age-appropriate ideas you can do from home:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grades
- Make cards or pictures for nursing home residents locally or find letter requests here!
- Fill Little Free Libraries or Little Free Pantries
- Package care bags for people without housing or otherwise in need
- Collect old towels and blankets and deliver to an animal shelter
3rd - 5th Grades
- Make easy, no-sew fleece blankets for children in local hospitals
- Collect and sort school supplies and create kits to benefit a local shelter or library
- Rake leaves or shovel snow for elderly or disabled neighbors
- Organize a sock drive and donate to those in need
6th Grade and Up
- Participate in charity walks or runs
- Foster a pet as a family
- Make and donate masks to local family shelters
- Start a club at your school that promotes volunteerism throughout the year
- Initiate a park clean up or beautification project
- Install a buddy bench at a school
