MLK Day of Service 2016; A Day On, Not a Day Off

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader, activist, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner. 

His achievements are recognized annually on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15.

MLK Jr. Day is a Federal Holiday and in addition to government offices and schools, many businesses are closed in observance. 

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off.” Organizations observing this federal holiday encourage employees to volunteer in their communities following in the footsteps of Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” 

Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community is one in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth and where poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. 

In past years, President Obama and his family have participated in the MLK Day of Service by volunteering in schools, soup kitchens and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, D.C. Over the past decade, many schools have decided to make the holiday a regular attendance day believing the day is better observed teaching students about the great works of Dr. King.

To find a volunteer opportunity in your area, visit the Corporation for National and Community Service. The site also offers lesson plans and service projects for school children who have the day off.

At Eco Promotional Products, we support the efforts our not for profit customers and our employees who volunteer their time to community organizations, local schools, soup kitchens, animal shelters and more.