Martin Luther King Day offers more than just a day off of school. On Jan.19, Eugene is has a myriad of activities to take part in, from marches to community service.
The Holden Center at the University of Oregon has approximately 170 students signed up to volunteer in the two programs they have planned for the day.
The center partners with Willamette High School, enabling volunteers to perform helpful activities at WHS, Cascade Middle School and Shasta Middle School like landscaping, organizing and painting. This is the third year the Holden Center and WHS have partnered with each other.
The Holden Center also linked UO student volunteers with the Arc of Lane County. On MLK Day, volunteers will be paired with a child with a disability such as autism, down syndrome or cerebral palsy and spend the day bonding and bowling.
“It is a great way for (students) to be plugged into the community,” Suzy Kropf, Community Program Assistant for the Holden Center said.
Both events are now full.
The 2015 MLK Community MARCH will take place from 9 a.m until noon. The event begins at PK Park with a short opening program. The march concludes at the Shedd Institute, followed by a short program of speakers.
At 6:30 p.m, Holly Robinson-Peete, actress and activist, will be a key note speaker. The speech in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place at the Lane Community College Center for Meeting and Learning.