By Chrstine Harkinson/Staff
The 19th annual Martin Luther King (MLK) Day Challenge, organized by the Volunteer Center of Burlington County, will be held at the county library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20.
Those interested in participating will have a chance to join in the day of service by dropping off donations and/or making cards at the county library. Following will be a performance by performer Tahira in the library auditorium at 2 p.m. One ticket per person will be handed out at the auditorium door beginning at 1:15.
Tahira will provide insight into the lives of people like King, whose bravery and vision were instrumental in advancing the Civil Rights Movement forward. Registration is not required.
“For me personally, I just think that, especially in times like these, it’s so important for our neighbors to understand that we have much more in common than we have that divides us, and that we must find ways of working together to make our communities better,” said Curtis Myers, MLK Day committee chair and member of the Volunteer Center of Burlington County’s board of trustees.
“He (King) was really trying to find ways of making all humanity be all humanity,” Myers added. “While he was a civil rights leader, to me he was … trying to bring dignity to others, and I think a great way to celebrate his life and his legacy is what we’re doing on MLK Day.”
Donations activities for the Martin Luther King Day Challenge will include a food collection for Oaks Integrated Care Food Pantry of Mount Holly, with items accepted that include oatmeal and cereal, granola bars and kid-friendly snacks; an animal supplies collection for the Burlington County Animal Shelter, including cat and dog food, blankets and toys; and collections for the county chapter of Newborns in Need, such as newborn diapers, baby wipes, clothing sized zero to six months, infant socks and sweaters and blankets.
Participants can also make cards for residents in county care facilities or make their own. All supplies will be provided. All collected and/or donated items can be dropped off at the library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.
For more information, call (609) 388-1682 or email info@vcobc.org. If your place of worship, business, school or organization is holding a public MLK Day event that you would like to be posted on the Events calendar of the volunteer center’s website, visit www.vcobc.org/2025-mlk-service-events.
The purpose of the Martin Luther King Day Challenge is to encourage residents to join hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country who will memorialize King by participating in community service projects.
