Michiganders encouraged to volunteer for MLK Day

Michigan Community Service Commission funding 19 volunteer projects

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Community Service Commission, the state’s lead agency on volunteerism, is encouraging Michiganders to serve their community by volunteering on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20 and throughout the month. 

To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the Michigan Community Service Commission is supporting 19 volunteer projects across the state that will engage more than 5,000 volunteers in nearly 13,000 service hours. Projects will address community needs such as food insecurity, homelessness, environmental stewardship and supporting youth. 

“Serving others carries on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We encourage everyone to find a way to help those in need,” said Ginna Holmes, Executive Director of the Michigan Community Service Commission. “We are proud to support organizations across the state to engage volunteers in helping communities.” 

To support these efforts, the Michigan Community Service Commission awarded over $12,000 in grants ranging from $100 to $1,000.  

This year’s grantees and projects include: 

• Allen Neighborhood Center will host several activities to promote community engagement in Lansing on Jan. 20.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in Flint will host a food distribution event on Jan. 24.
• United Way of Genesee County will pack meal kits in Flint on Jan. 20.
• Kid’s Food Basket in Grand Rapids will host a food packing event from Jan. 21-24.
• AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program will hold a health and wellness resource fair and other Detroit community events on Jan. 20.
• Detroit Bee Hive will host volunteers at The Brightmoor Botanical Garden cleanup project on Jan. 11, 18 and 25.
• Clark Park Coalition volunteers will prepare gardens and do maintenance. 
• Bridging Communities in Wayne County will have volunteers will help feed those at risk for hunger on Jan. 20. 
• TEK Ready Computer Learning Academy will teach Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County residents IT and tech skills throughout January.
• United Way of Bay County will host Bay County student volunteers to create necessities kits from Jan. 6-24.
• TrueNorth Community Services will host youth volunteers in Newaygo County in an MLK Art Contest throughout January. 
• Spirit of the Child Alliance volunteers in Oakland County will create a mural on Jan. 11.
• The Children’s Center will prepare hygiene kits for children and families in the Detroit area.
• Central Michigan University will host multiple service projects to service children and veterans on Jan. 20.
• Vision Fair will host volunteers to pack and distribute hats, mittens and scarves for Wayne County residents on Jan. 20.
• Troy School District will create care packages for hospital patients and caretakers on Jan. 20.
• Peerbagh in Washtenaw County will host a program on belonging throughout January.
• Boys and Girls Club of Alpena will make blankets from Jan. 13-17.
• Macomb Foster Closet will create a baby closet of infant necessities on Jan. 20. 

Visit the Michigan Community Service Commission website to find a full list of volunteer projects and sign up to serve.