Martin Luther King Day events, service projects set for Bucks County

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is right around the corner, and there are plenty of ways for you to become involved in your community and embody King’s message of service to others.

The Martin Luther King Day of Service started with the push for a federal holiday in recognition of the civil rights leader that began just days after his assassination April 4, 1968. It was ultimately achieved in 1983.

But within the following decade, the holiday was eventually reshaped as “a day on, not a day off” — a national day of volunteering inspired by King’s life of service.

The King Holiday and Service Act was signed into law by then-U.S. President Bill Clinton on Aug. 23, 1994 to encourage Americans to find common causes and methods of improving their local communities, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Here are just some of the ways you can be involved across Bucks County this year.

Teen Peace & Social Justice Summit

When: Sunday, Jan. 18, 4-7 p.m.

Where: Bristol Borough High School, 1801 Wilson Ave., Bristol, PA.

Bucks County Peace Center’s annual “MLK Teen Peace & Social Justice Summit” is to bring students in grades seven through 12, educators, parents and community members together for meaningful conversations. The event is to include inspirational speakers and student-led stories. The summit is free, but registration is required. You may register online.

‘Serve-A-Friend’ with Pennridge students

When: Monday, Jan. 19, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Pennridge High School Cafeteria, 1228 N. 5th St., Perkasie.

For the third year, students, staff, family members and more are set to come together to serve those in need.

Bucks County community members can join in to help in two ways: by donating essential items or volunteering.

Donation drop-off is to begin under the Pennridge High School cafeteria awning on the evening of Jan. 18. Volunteers may arrive at the school at 8 a.m. Jan. 19 to help collect, sort and deliver the donations until 1 p.m.

In prior years, they’ve collected more than 3,000 donated items in during the event with more than 730 pounds of food given to local food pantries.

Wreath retirement at Washington Crossing National Cemetery

When: Monday, Jan. 19, 8:30 a.m.

Where: Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown.

You may help honor local veterans at Washington Crossing National Cemetery by helping to remove and clean up wreaths that were placed on headstones in December. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves and dress with the weather in mind.

Cleanup at Tyler State Park

When: Monday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Tyler Park Center for the Arts, 10 Stable Mill Trail, Richboro.

Join the Friends of Tyler State Park for a trash clean up event at the park. Volunteers are asked to bring water, gloves, trash pickers (if you have them) and sturdy footwear. Trash bags and extra supplies may be provided.

Register for the event online by Jan. 17.

Projects, speakers at Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church

When: Monday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1680 Aquetong Road, New Hope.

Following two worship services on Sunday, Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church congregants are to kick off their annual MLK Day of Service with an opening presentation and speech from keynote speaker Judge Clyde W. Waite, the first Black judge to serve on the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

There will also be two service project sessions during the event, where attendees are to assemble utensil packs for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, write letters to seniors living in isolation, pack hygiene kits, make no-sew blankets and more.

Guest speaker Wendel A. White, a photographer, historian and professor, is also to share a presentation about the role of archive in shaping, preserving and challenging our understanding of African American history. The event is to conclude with a panel discussion titled “See What Possibility Looks Like: The Opportunities Still Needed for Access to Equitable Outcomes and Prosperities.”

You can sign up online.

Create a back-to-school card at Our Lady of Grace

When: Monday, Jan. 19, 10-11 a.m.

Where: Our Lady of Grace School Cafeteria, 300 Hulmeville Ave., Penndel.

You may stop by the Our Lady of Grace School cafeteria anytime between 10-11 a.m. to join students as they create hand-made cards for Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia.

Organization members include one of these cards with each new fully stocked backpack they distribute to local students in need before the first day of school in the fall. The goal of these hand-written cards is to make a child feel valued and to help boost their confidence as they start the new school year.

You may also donate materials for the effort, such as construction paper, markers, crayons, pens, stickers or whatever else you think will make the cards look good. Glitter, however, is prohibited.

Donation bins are to be available in the main vestibule of the church over the weekend of Jan. 18. If you can’t join in for the card-making the day-of but still want to participate, you may also make cards at home and drop them off in the donation bins as well.

Bucks County Community College’s MLK Jr. Leadership Awards

When: Thursday, Jan. 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Bucks County Community College’s Rollins Center, Gallagher Room, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown.

Bucks County Community College is set to pay tribute to King’s legacy with its fifth annual MLK Leadership Awards. Four honorees are to be recognized for embodying King’s message through their commitment to economic mobility and civic engagement.