If you’re off today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s a good time to reflect on something he said to an audience in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1957: 

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Until his assassination in 1968, Dr. King spent his life doing for others. MLK Day (as it’s often referred to) was envisioned as a way to honor his life and legacy by giving back.

In 1983, President Ronald Regan officially made the third Monday in January a federal holiday to honor the slain civil rights leader. Pennsylvania, though, had a bit of a jump on the federal holiday. In 1978, then-Gov. Milton J. Shapp signed a state King Holiday into law. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, which created a dedicated day of volunteer service, encouraging those who had the federal holiday off from work to use it to do something for others.

We each have an opportunity to honor Dr. King today, whether by volunteering for a community project or taking some time to reflect on his life and legacy.

The Philadelphia area plays a greater role in his legacy than you may be aware of. From attending seminary school in Delaware County to his efforts to help desegregate Girard College, Dr. King’s history in the area runs deep. Learn more about some of those important connections and watch memorable King speeches in Philly and Pittsburgh.

As the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is undoubtedly one of the most important historical figures of the last century, if not all time.

For our QOTW, we’d like to know: Which historical figure do you most admire and why?

Dr. King would certainly be near or at the top of my list, based on his efforts toward achieving monumental legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how he inspired—and continues to inspire—millions to work toward social change at home and abroad.

Reply with your answer below, and please let us know where you live.

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One benefit to being forced indoors by sub-freezing temperatures recently: It may give you the urge to deep clean your entire house and purge household items you no longer need, and find a place near you to donate those items. 

We’ve compiled a list of organizations around Pennsylvania where you can donate those clothes, shoes, appliances, and other household items.

• The state has rolled out a website aimed at helping SNAP recipients in danger of losing their benefits due to new federal requirements to find volunteer opportunities that will help them meet the added requirements. Get the details in this story.

• The Pennsylvania Working Families Party has launched an online effort to find primary challengers to run against Democratic US Sen. John Fetterman in 2028. Our Sean Kitchen has the story.

• US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the Pennsylvania Farm Show last week, where she sought to reassure farmers in the commonwealth who are facing a litany of challenges, like the fallout from trade wars impacting exports, as well as rising equipment and fertilizer costs. Find out more here.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Ashley Adams, Sean Kitchen, Keystone Staff, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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