Montgomery County’s Annual MLK Day of Service Emphasizes the Importance of the Holiday and of Volunteering

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most prominent and influential civil rights advocates in world history. His leadership during the American Civil Rights Movement and his nonviolent methods of activism against discrimination are widely regarded with respect and are most commonly associated with his name.

Due to his fight against racial inequality and its immense impact on changing the face of America, Dr. King’s life of service is remembered through MLK Day. MLK Day is observed annually every third Monday in January around the time of Dr. King’s birthday and is seen as a day of service that encourages people to volunteer and aid their communities in honor of Dr. King.

Montgomery County plays no less of an important role in observing MLK Day. Each year, the county holds an annual MLK Day Week of Service hosted by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC). During this week, several service day projects/activities take place all around the county and overall strive to promote a general sense of community/service in schools, different local organizations, etc.

This year in particular marked the first year that the county was able to celebrate and honor MLK Day in person since 2020. On Jan. 16, 2023, a Monday where many had a day off, several families and volunteers from many different organizations participated in service activities at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center for the county’s main MLK Day fair event.

With a DJ and music, the fair hosted several large-scale activities that were set up and open to volunteers, including meal packing for the US Hunger relief organization, Snow Day Box packing with Meals on Wheels, bag decorating, making dog toys & blankets, and an MLK mural coloring. 

Melissa Jackson Cannon is the director of the Montage Marketing Group, an agency that helped closely plan the event with the MCVC. In an interview, Cannon reflected on the event and MLK’s profound influence. “Montgomery County is very diverse and the event is a great time for people of all backgrounds and interest groups and religions to [live up to] the MLK legacy,” she said.

Along with these activities, there were a couple of stands outside of the conference center that provided information on Student Service Learning hours (SSL), the Montgomery County Volunteer Center, and a few other local organizations.

Sandy Smith, host of the Montgomery County Cable show, “Make a Difference”, helped host the MCVC’s stand. On the topic of the event, Smith talked about how it was a large volunteer event and “it’s an opportunity for students to earn SSL hours” and “for parents/family to participate in different projects.” Smith also stressed the significance of MLK day itself. “MLK Jr.’s life was about service and the day is a way of honoring [him], instead of doing nothing, and actually serving others,” Smith said.

Overall, the event provided a fun way for families and volunteers alike to spend the day by giving back to those in need and enacting upon the teachings of Dr. King by participating in acts of service. Even locally within Montgomery County, it is important to recognize and actively volunteer, as giving back to the community is one of the most rewarding things an individual can do. 

“[MLK] had an incredible legacy,” Cannon said, “and it’s great to strive and live up to [it]. Volunteering and the day is a great way to remember him and do good in his name.”

Written by Pragna Pothakamuri of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Photo courtesy of Pragna Pothakamuri of Thomas S. Wootton High School

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