Give Back this MLK Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is always a great time to get out there and serve our community. Finding kid-friendly service projects can be difficult though, due to age restrictions. Here are some ways the whole family can celebrate in KC:

2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Once again, the Cleaver Family YMCA will offer a wide variety of very family-friendly community service projects from 9am-noon, in honor of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Olathe Public Library MLK, Jr. Day of Service: Families can drop by the Olathe Downtown Library from 10am-4pm to participate in family-friendly service projects for local nonprofits. Or enjoy storytime after dropping off food for Harvesters! At the Olathe Indian Creek location, you can enjoy an MLK Jr. Day Family Celebration to learn more about the man and his accomplishments.
Snack Bags and other Comfort Kits for Ronald McDonald House: Have fun and do “good” at the same time! Invite some families over, buy the materials, put the bags together, and deliver as a family. This is a special way to help other families in KC.
6th Annual MLK Nature Walk: If you can handle the cold, this is a great way to join the larger KC community in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Or, help others throughout the year with these ideas:

KindCraft KC offers monthly service project events for participants of all ages.
ScrapsKC has tons of kid-friendly offerings with a cause: to help care for KC’s environment, education and the homeless.
Plant a seed that will nourish many in our community by volunteering with the Kansas City Community Gardens. They even have a Beanstalk Children’s Garden where kids can see, smell, touch and taste growing plants!
The Kansas City Zoo: Adopt a Wild Child at the Zoo is a fun way to get the kids involved with supporting our community. Select your favorite animal to support, and receive an adoption certificate plus other information about your fave animal from the zoo!
Clean out the house: Sort through your children’s outgrown clothing, toys or books with them at your side. Then donate the gently used items to Safehome, Rose Brooks Center, or another family shelter of your choice. This is a win-win for all: tidied house, and you helped someone in need.
Connect with your congregation: There’s a good chance that your church, synagogue, mosque (or any other house of worship) has a family-friendly community service activity happening each month. One of our favorites: Making PB&J sandwiches for Micah Ministry!