Skip to main content

Save the Date! January 17th is MLK Day of Giving Back

By Michelle Murdock, Freelance Writer

Hopkinton's 4th Annual MLK Day of Giving Back will take place on January 17, 2011, and although it's over a month away, committee members are planning now to ensure the event's success.

"We need to be doing a lot of planning now," says Chair Linda Katz.

Katz has participated in all of the previous MLK Days and is actually responsible for bringing the event to Hopkinton. During an interview at the HCAM Studio, Katz recalled how she heard a recording of Coretta Scott King six years ago and it made her think that MLK Day should be a day on rather than a day off.

As a member of the Youth Commission, Katz brought her idea of a day of giving back to her fellow committee members and four years ago marked the first event in Hopkinton. There were about 200 participants the first year, but the participation grew to 400 the following year and the venue was changed to the Hopkinton Middle School. Last year's event drew over 800 participants and has now become a tradition in Hopkinton.

The day will begin with a kick-off breakfast with a short program in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. The speaker for the morning will be Sarah Varadian of the Wee Care Organization. Varadian will tell her inspiring story about how she was able to help build schools for girls in Afghanistan.

After breakfast, attendees will move into the Brown Gym or the cafeteria to get involved in a hands-on activity. Prior years' activitites included making fleece blankets for the homeless or writing cards to soldiers overseas. Some groups make arrangements to go off-site to volunteer for the day. According to Katz, residents can participate in one of two ways; as a group with a pre-planned hands-on activity, or as an attendee on January 17th.

The event at the Middle School is geared for middle and high school students and adults says Katz, but there is an event for younger children that will be held at the Hopkintin Library. Younger children who wish to give back can sign up at the library.

But all of this cannot happen without advance planning. Volunteers are needed to ensure the event’s continued success, and all are welcome. The planning committee is also looking for new ideas, new hands-on inside activities and new ways to give back.

"We really welcome all groups planning something for this day," said Katz.

Don’t wait, act now to be part of Hopkinton’s 4th annual MLK Day of Giving Back! Email MLKHopkinton@comcast.net for more information or to get involved.

mlk_day_logo.jpg
Old Id
410
mlk_day_logo.jpg