The Volunteer Center of Burlington County will hold its 20th annual MLK Day Challenge at the library’s main branch in Westampton on Monday, Jan. 19, at 10 a.m.
The purpose of the challenge is to encourage county residents to join thousands of Americans across the country in remembering and memorializing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in service projects in their communities.
It’s also a way to honor King’s legacy of tolerance, peace and equality by meeting community needs and making the holiday a day of community service.
“It’s a meaningful day of service and in terms of the inspirational life of (King), I think that people definitely want to be celebrating that as a positive thing,” said Michael Pippin, the volunteer center’s director.
The facility will collect peanut butter and jelly, breakfast items such as oatmeal and cereal, kid-friendly snacks such as granola bars, mac and cheese and canned fruits and vegetables for the Oaks Integrated Food Pantry in Mount Holly.
Donations for the Burlington County Animal Shelter will also be accepted, including canned dog food, laundry detergent, sheets and pillow cases, hand soap and hand sanitizer, brooms and bleach. Newborn items accepted include diapers, baby wipes, clothing for babies up to six months old, blankets and Afghans purchased or handmade and receiving blankets.
In conjunction with the MLK Day Challenge, the volunteer center will also host its sixth annual MLK Day Unity Celebration, but the Burlington County version of the event needs help. The center is putting together a video to celebrate the King holiday and is seeking videos that reflect the theme “Live, Love, Serve” as it relates to the life and work of the civil rights leader.
Submissions, due by Friday, Jan. 9, can be a personal message, song, poem, dance, a compilation of photos, etc. The video will be screened at the library on Jan. 19. For more information, visit www.vcobc.org/mlk-day-unity-celebration-video-project.
For more information on the MLK Day Challenge, visit www.vcobc.org/20th-annual-mlk-day-challenge or email info@vcobc.org.
