Ways to celebrate and honor Martin Luther King's legacy in Bucks and Montgomery counties

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday observed yearly on the third Monday in January and celebrating the life and accomplishments of King, takes place this year on Jan. 16.

For many, the holiday is a chance to reflect on King’s vision, engage in meaningful conversations and honor his legacy through service projects.

From volunteer opportunities to discussions about race, there are plenty of ways to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in Bucks and Montgomery counties this weekend.

Contribute to the conversation at the MLK Teen Summit

Bucks and Montgomery County high school students are invited to join The Peace Center for the 11^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Teen Peace and Social Justice Summit from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 at William Tennent High School in Warminster.

The summit is designed to bring people in the community together to discuss the impact of King’s legacy around this year’s theme, “Finding Common Ground.” In addition to students, this year’s summit is also open to educators and parents of student participants, who will hear inspirational speakers and participate in meaningful conversations on race, prejudice and intolerance.

Educator and musician, Stephen J. Tyson, Jr., will emcee this year’s summit, with Trey Carlisle from the nonprofit organization, Music in Common, as the keynote speaker.

Registration is required. Visit thepeacecenter.org to sign up.

More:Teens address racism, microaggressions and social justice at annual MLK summit

Attend an MLK Shabbat Service

Temple Judea of Bucks County, in Doylestown, is holding a special Shabbat celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 7 p.m. Friday with guest speaker Keven E. Leven.

“Even as a Christian, a part of Dr King’s dream was to unite all faiths against the evils of oppression,” said Leven, a co-leader of the Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, informing, and taking action on matters of racial justice.

During the Shabbat service, Leven will speak on his own experiences of discrimination, his family’s relationship with the Kings and the need to realize King’s dream.

For more information, visit templejudea.org/event/mlk-shabbat-gathering.

Join the MLK Sock Roll Challenge or build an MLK Dream Service Kit

Area families, youth groups and schools are invited to participate in The Giving Tree's 7th annual MLK Sock Roll Challenge. Engaging thousands of area youth, the Montgomery County nonprofit is “challenging” participants to create "sock rolls" to benefit individuals experiencing homelessness.

A "sock roll" consists of a pair of men’s crew or tube socks rolled around a granola bar and a pack of crackers. The rolls will be delivered to various shelters and soup kitchens in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties. The service project challenge will run the entire month of January.

Nearly 15,000 sock rolls were created during the 2022 challenge. This year’s goal is to create more than 20,000 rolls.

New in 2023, The Giving Tree added another opportunity for youth to give back by offering the MLK Dream Service Kit. The kit comes ready to assemble with all materials included and will be distributed to area homeless shelters and food pantries.

To learn more, visit givingtreefamilies.org.

Learn from speakers and participate in an equity simulation

Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church in New Hope is hosting a community event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 in partnership with Rise Against Hunger, World Vision, and Fisherman’s Mark.

A variety of activities are scheduled throughout the morning, including breakfast, speakers, a service project, a racial wealth gap simulation experience, an equal justice initiative exhibit, and a performance by the Parkway Drumline.

For more information or to sign up, visit tmpc.org/mlk.

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Volunteer for a food packing event

Join Gigi Project and Yogamazia for a day of positive action in honor of Martin Luther King from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Volunteers will work together to pack up to 1,000 snack bags for those who need a healthy snack between meals and experiencing hardship.

The snack bag assembly event will take place at Yogamazia in Richboro.

There will also be a table set up to write and color note of encouragement which will be included with the snack bags. The assembled bags will then be delivered to Caring for Friends, who will distribute the snacks to seniors, kids and adults in the 5-county Philadelphia region.

For more information or to sign up, visit yogamazia.com.

Develop your basketball skills

The Centurions Men's and Women's Basketball coaches would like to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through serving the community with a first-ever MLK Day Skills and Drills Workout. This program is designed to work with kids sharpening basketball skills, while also giving current Centurion student-athletes the opportunity to build teaching skills through the game they love in a fun and positive way.

The event is open to kids ages 6-15 and takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at the Newtown campus gymnasium. Donations will also be collected.

Pre-registration can be done online, but walk-ups are welcome.

For more information, contact Coach Heather Weindorfer-Izzi at Heather.Weindorfer-izzi@bucks.edu or Coach Farrad McLaughlin at farrad.mclaughlin@bucks.edu.

Help in restoring a local nature preserve

The Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust is looking for volunteers to lend a hand at the Pennypack Preserve in Huntington Valley from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16.

Volunteers will work with Pennypack Trust staff to move recycled Christmas Trees from Upper Moreland Township to impaired stream beds, also known as tree revetments, which help stabilize unprotected stream banks and prevent further erosion by slowing down the speed of the water at the base of the bank and allowing sediment held in the water to be deposited. Over time, this will help rebuild the bank and allow vegetation to become established.

Be prepared to dress for the weather, bringing sturdy gloves and boots that can get messy, dressing in layers, and packing a water bottle. Groups and individuals are welcome.

Online registration is required by Jan. 14 at pennypacktrust.org/all-events. For more information, email kroth@pennypacktrust.org.

Volunteer with Caring for Friends

Caring for Friends, an independent food bank and volunteer organization serving greater Philadelphia, is looking for help during its Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

There are in person shifts available and also ways to help seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities from the comfort of home, school, or the office in the following ways:

• Book a group shift cooking, packing, or sorting at their Northeast Philadelphia location on Monday.

• Make meals. CFF provides home-cooked meals to homebound clients thanks to volunteers. Those who want to contribute can pick up meal trays and drop off cooked meals at one of the warehouses. Find a location.

• Make ‘caring notes’, handwritten, personal notes that accompany snack bags of nutritious non-perishable items, for homebound, homeless, and hungry neighbors, as well as schools.

• Make a commitment to help year-round by becoming a volunteer visitor dropping off meals.

• Collect food donations for its snack bag program or create a group to make snack bags. If your office, community group, or school would like to sponsor and take part in a snack bag shift, please contact Renee@caringforfriends.org for more information.

Learn more about Caring for Friends and volunteer opportunities at caringforfriends.org.

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: How to honor MLK Day in Bucks and Montgomery counties this weekend