The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service officially began with federal legislation enacted in 1994 with the goal of challenging citizens to serve their communities in honor of Dr. King. Since then, organizations across the U.S. have used this day to create volunteering opportunities for the public.
This year, downtown Phoenix will have several volunteering events, from gardening to a pond cleanup, where anyone can support a number of causes. Here are some of the opportunities happening this weekend:
Saturday:
For gardeners, the Madison Street Veterans Association will have soil preparation, weeding and mulch-spreading to help tend their community garden. The association gives its produce to local homeless and youth centers, and the gardening is therapeutic for veterans. Volunteers need to have closed-toed shoes, and there will be a barbecue after the gardening. To sign up, contact the association’s head chef, Ken Leonard, at 602-397-2421.
Where: Madison Street Veterans Association at 755 E. Willetta St., near McDowell Road and Seventh Street.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help serve warm breakfasts to homeless youth at HomeBase Youth Services. This organization provides housing, food and other resources to help homeless youth. The minimum age for this event is 11.
Where: HomeBase Youth Services at 931 East Devonshire Ave., near Seventh Street and Indian School Road.
When: 8 to 10 a.m.
Help The Family School clean, organize and landscape its space. This nonprofit preschool and kindergarten provides resources to its students’ families as well as extracurricular programs for the kids.
Where: The Family School at 1127 W. McDowell Road near Seventh Avenue.
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Sunday:
At Growhouse, volunteers will be able to tend to the community garden that benefits local restaurants and help with beautification projects. And you can come back again every week!
Where: Growhouse at 902 N. Sixth St. near Roosevelt and Seventh streets
When: Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Monday:
The MLK March, hosted by the Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, starts at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Governor Doug Ducey and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton will lead the march, which ends in a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park.
Where: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church at 1401 E. Jefferson St. on 14th and Jefferson streets
When: 8:30 a.m.
Donate clothing for homeless LGBT youth through the Human Rights Campaign‘s donation drive. The campaign is looking for youth clothing, toiletries, backpacks, towels and washcloths. In addition to donations, volunteers will also have the opportunity to help create a boutique and retail experience for the youth and assemble some of the donations into “bags of love.”
Where: First Congregation UCC at 1407 N. Second St. near Central Avenue and McDowell Road.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you like animals, the Beaver Habitat Restoration Project, hosted by the Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign, is for you. Volunteers will help clean up the demonstration pond, and at the end of the event, leftover branches will go to the beavers who inhabit the area for food for the winter. Must be at least 16 years old. Visit allforgood.org to RSVP.
Where: Volunteers are meeting at Rio Salado Restoration parking area at the Central Gateway at 2439 S. Central Ave.
When: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Join the International Rescue Committee and PHX Renews to help maintain the New Roots garden. Volunteers clean the gardens and canals and build mulch trails. Volunteer opportunities with PHX Renews are available year-round as well.
Where: PHX Renews (New Roots garden) near Central Avenue and Indian School Road
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Contact the reporter at Nikiana.Medansky@asu.edu
