People should follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s example and honor his life through a time of reflection, conversation and service to others.
That’s the idea behind the MLK Day of Service, which will be observed on Monday, Jan. 21, by the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative in partnership with Indy Parks and the support of Indiana University Health.
Volunteers will help assemble Street Outreach Survival Kits on behalf of Horizon House to be distributed to most in-need neighbors. Video of the historic and renowned speech delivered by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968, on the night Dr. King was killed will also be played throughout the day and attendees will hear firsthand from Abie Robinson, who witnessed the historic speech in the park that evening.
The event is open to adults and children and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kennedy King Park Center, located in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park at 601 E. 17th St. Participants are asked to RSVP for the event by registering at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/indy-parks-kkmi-day-of-service-tickets-54296047941?aff=Volunteers.
“The ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. guide us as we work to diminish
racial conflict, inspire courageous action, and strengthen
Indianapolis,” said Lena Hackett, KKMI managing partner. “In partnership
with Indy Parks and support from Indiana University Health, this
project allows us to come together to honor Dr. King’s life and
teachings while cultivating a stronger community through service to
others.”
In addition to volunteering,
community members are also invited to drop off essential items
needed to assemble the Street Outreach Survival Kits. Donated items
requested include: protein sources (canned tuna, canned chicken,
Vienna sausage, peanut butter); granola bars; crackers; fruit
cups; bottled water; socks; hats; scarfs; gloves;
toothbrushes/toothpaste; and lip balm. Donations can be dropped
off January 17-18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kennedy
King Park Center, located in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
at 601 E. 17th St., Indianapolis.
“This park has such a rich history of bringing people together to do great
things,” said Linda Broadfoot, director of Indy Parks. “We invite
residents and their families to join us as we celebrate Dr.
King’s legacy and reflect on ways we can help people in parks and in
neighborhoods around the city.”
In addition to participating in the MLK Day of Service event,
the community is also invited to visit the Landmark for
Peace memorial sculpture located within Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. Park. The memorial, which features King and Kennedy reaching out to
each other, is free and open to the public daily from dusk to dawn.
For further information on the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative,
visit www.kennedykingindy.org. The public is
also encouraged to follow the conversation on social media through
the hashtag #StillWeReach @KennedyKing1968 or on Facebook
at KennedyKingMemorialInitiative/.
