Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, observed annually on the third Monday in January, is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was established in 1994 by Congressman and fellow civil rights leader John Lewis and U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, who together co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. MLK 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. By participating in service projects, we can bridge divides, heal wounds, and create lasting change that will benefit our communities for years to come.

Since the legislation was signed, the Day of Service has been coordinated nationally by AmeriCorps. Anyone can participate in MLK Day of Service. AmeriCorps recommends taking one of the following actions:

  • Engage with your community and create constructive action.
  • Act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity.
  • Recommit by volunteering to serve others. You can clean up a public space, mentor a young person, or help those who are food insecure.

Local Volunteer Opportunities for MLK Day of Service 

Small Acts, Big Impacts: A Day of Service

Saturday, January 13 through Monday, January 15
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Discovery Museum, Acton, MA

Join the Discovery Museum as they engage in small acts of service to benefit their neighbors. Make a birthday card and help collect “Birthday-in-a-Box” supplies to support two local charities whose missions are to create special birthday moments for children who are experiencing homelessness or who are in the hospital on their birthdays. Free event with admission to the Discovery Museum. Find out more and reserve tickets on the Discovery Museum’s website. 

Lexington MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 15
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Grace Chapel, Lexington, MA

Join the Town of Lexington for a day of service! Help make cards of appreciation for Valentine's Day and the National Salute to Veteran Patients Program to be given to the Veterans at the Bedford VA, active overseas military personnel, the many healthcare workers at Lawrence Community Health Centers, and essential workers in Lexington. You can also sort donations to deliver to local non profits or make fleece blankets for local families in need. Sign up at the Lexington MLK Day of Service website.  

Concord Museum MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 15
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Concord Museum, Concord, MA

Join the Concord Museum for a morning of service hosted by the Concord Museum Contemporary Leaders. In collaboration with Open Table, they will be assembling and decorating food pantry bags to support their local community.

Have an additional volunteer opportunity to recommend?

Post the volunteer opportunity in the Slack #Inclusion channel.

Other Local MLK Day Events

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Monday, January 15
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with storytelling, impactful conversation, art-making and music! Artists and thought leaders will share reflections on themes of social justice, equity, art, and empowerment, and invite participation in activities throughout the day. Bring your family and dive deep into the many ways you can show up for your communities as you engage in the many different activities led by Educators, Organizers, and Cultural leaders dedicated to building a better future for all. The museum welcomes you to learn more about these stories through activities with Space for Change, Drum Circles with DaPhunkee Professor, and conversation with Professor Van Der Meer of UMass Boston, James Pierre, Jaypix Belmer, and Aziza Robinson-Goodnight.” Learn more on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum website.

AmeriCorps MLK Day of Service Event with AmeriCorps Cape Cod

Monday, January 15
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sturgis Charter School Community Space

Join for a resource fair, community lunch, donation drive, and kids activities corner. AmeriCorps Cape Cod is hosting an MLK Day of Service event on January 15th, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sturgis Charter School Community Space in downtown Hyannis. The extreme weather date is January 20th. The goal of the event is to address homelessness, as well as housing and food insecurity, on the Cape. There will be a resource fair, community lunch, donation drive, and kids activities corner.

Communication developed by Sara MacKenzie.