For the last 15 years the city of Kalamazoo has held The Martin Luther King Junior Community-Wide Day of Service on the holiday that honors the civil rights leader.
Volunteers are sent to non-profit agencies throughout the city for various projects. Executive Assistant in the Kalamazoo City Manager’s Office Martin Markos says it’s a way to give back and help make the city a better place.
This year the holiday and the Day of Service fall on Monday January 18th. Volunteers are being sought for projects that day. Markos says while a lot of people have the day off, it’s a chance to get out and “give back a little bit.” He says volunteers can select a place to volunteer through Volunteer Kalamazoo’s website.
About 300 to 350 people usually volunteer for the day of service. Markos says registering through Volunteer Kalamazoo’s website is more convenient. But he says people who show up on January 18th at city hall between 8:00a.m and 9:00a.m. can still volunteer.
Markos describes the day of service as one of his favorite events. He says often people come with children and grandchildren. Markos says it’s also a rewarding experience for the volunteers. “You can’t put a price on going out and just giving back to the community.”