Hundreds of Chattanoogans will be putting service into action for the 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, commemorating the great civil rights leader. For Chattanooga’s fifth year of “A Day On, Not a Day Off,” the Office of Multicultural Affairs will mobilize local citizens, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and organizations to help complete service projects around the city and advance Dr. King’s dream of opportunity for all.
OMA is calling for projects from all over the city in order to build a list of 50 projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of MLK.
This year’s MLK Day of Service will encompass all of Chattanooga’s neighborhoods with projects reaching every corner of the community.
“The depth of Dr. King’s influence is so great that we wanted a significant way to honor his memory and teachings. By gathering 50 projects from all over Chattanooga, we can spread his message of social justice to every neighborhood while honoring his important legacy,” said James McKissic, director of OMA. “We’re excited to see the projects that people in our community bring forward to be included in this year’s day of service.”
This MLK Day on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, volunteers will gather on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at Chamberlain Pavilion and then fan out into the neighborhoods to undertake landscaping, clearing debris, trail maintenance, painting, deep cleaning, project repairs, and so much more.
OMA is looking for a range of service projects that include not only beautification but also education and outreach. For example, this year volunteers made rounds at various apartments across Chattanooga to equip residents with info on their rights under fair housing law.
The 1968 Fair Housing Act became law shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and family status. It protects citizens from discrimination when they are renting, buying, looking for a house or acquiring a mortgage.
Here are some of the ways people can get involved with the 2018 Day of Service:
MLK DAY SCHEDULE
Volunteer Check In: 8 - 9 a.m.
Service Projects begin at 9 a.m.
Kickoff Location: UTC Chamberlain Pavilion
Projects will last until 12:30 p.m. or earlier as tasks are completed.
Registered volunteers will receive a free T-shirt. For more info and to get involved, visit http://connect.chattanooga.gov/mlkdos/.