“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject, and your verb agrees to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
On Monday, January 16th, the James Kerney Campus of Mercer County Community College (102 N. Broad St., Trenton, NJ) will host their 6th annual MLK Day of Service. Throughout the day, guests can participate in a variety of service activities, which will go on to support local non-profits in the region. Some benefitting organizations include The Rescue Mission, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, HomeFront, and patients at Capital Health. The event will begin at 8:00 am and will conclude at 3:30 pm. Students, alums, and community members are welcome to participate in this beautiful event. If you’re interested in participating, registration is available here: Registration – MLK Day of Service. Please note that each individual attending will need to fill out the registration – if you plan on coming as a group, each person will have to register separately.
In addition to volunteering, attendees are also encouraged to bring a donation. Some needed items include toiletries like soap, shampoo, etc., personal items like earbuds, journals, etc., and clothing items like socks, coats, etc. A complete list of the requested items can be found on the registration link attached above. Guests are welcome to sign up for the following volunteer activities:
- Crochet for a cause to benefit HomeFront
- Make PB&J sandwiches
- Community cleanup
- Utensil and toiletry wrapping to benefit TASK
- Coat drive
- Comfort bags
The day’s festivities will kick off at 8:00 am, where registration will continue in the JKC Front Lobby until 9:00 am. From 9:00 – 9:30 am, guests will hear opening remarks in Kerney Hall. After the opens marks have concluded, attendees will split up and begin working on their various service projects from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. At 12:30 pm, guests will reconvene at the JKC cafeteria, where the MCCC Foundation will provide lunch. Once lunch concludes, guests can gather at Trenton Hall (137 N. Broad St., Trenton, NJ) for a service celebration performance. With a day full of activity from start to finish, this is sure to be a fun and rewarding day for all.
Across the country, organizations have seized Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an opportunity to give back to the community. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated National Day of Service. In serving our communities, we can continue to advance Dr. King’s message of equity and social justice. Acting in service to others offers individuals a unique opportunity to participate in Martin Luther King Jr’s dream and forge a stronger society for us all.
The day of service would not be possible without the support of the James Kerney Campus of MCCC. The JKC Campus, located in Trenton, helps meet the needs of a broad spectrum of populations. From Upward Bound students to English as a Second Language learners, JKC offers every kind of student an opportunity. If you’re interested in reading more about what the campus provides, additional details are available here: JKC – MCCC.
If you’re interested in participating in this beautiful event, please register as soon as possible. Also, if you have any questions, please get in touch with MCCC for additional details. A day of service can help transform the life of a neighbor in need while honoring the legacy of Dr. King along the way.
