The nation will celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20, in honor of the civil rights leader. The holiday is one of two that includes a National Day of Service.
The concept of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was originally promoted by labor unions in the 1970s. The first federal bill failed in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1979. In 1983 a bill passed. It took effect three years later. Not every U.S. state chose to observe the January holiday at the state level, until 1991, when the New Hampshire Legislature created “Civil Rights Day” and abolished its April “Fast Day.” In 1999, New Hampshire became the last state to name a holiday after King, which they first celebrated in January 2000 – the first nationwide celebration of the day with his name.
One of the inspirational aspects of the holiday is it is also one of the only official national days of service. Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wolford and Atlanta Congress member John Lewis started the “Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service.” The day of service was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on Aug. 23, 1994. Since then, the day of service has been coordinated nationally by AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that provides grants to organizations that coordinate service activities on MLK Day.
Since San Juan County has a large number of nonprofits and volunteer-centric organizations, below are a few volunteer ideas for those wishing to participate in some sort of service on their own accord, regardless of being coordinated by AmeriCorps.
The Family Joyce Soble Family Recourse Center has two long-term volunteer opportunities. The organization provides mentoring programs for various age groups: one-on-one matches and group mentoring for children, SJI youth mentoring for tweens, and first-generation mentoring for teens and young adults who are the first in their families to attend college or vocational school. These programs aim to promote resiliency and support.
The resource center also has an Island Neighbors program. This is a community-based program that provides social, emotional and practical support to elderly, ill, isolated or disabled islanders who wish to remain living in their own homes. Regularly scheduled visits from caring, trained volunteers help our more vulnerable neighbors to enjoy a higher quality of life and avoid emergencies. Services include help with errands, transportation assistance, companionship and other similar needs.
To learn more about both of these programs, visit https://jlsfrc.org/ .
For shorter-term options, the Friday Harbor Food Bank welcomes donations both of various food items and financially. To find out what would be most helpful, visit https://fridayharborfoodbank.weebly.com/.
The Animal Protection Society welcomes volunteer inquiries stating on their website “We appreciative that you are considering spending your valuable time helping us save homeless cats and dogs.” Key volunteer opportunities include walking the various dogs, and spending time with the cats.
“Our goal is to keep the shelter’s residents in a homelike environment and active and well-socialized while in our care. Our shelter can provide this level of comfort and care only through the help of volunteers,” the website states. To learn more, visit https://www.apsfh.com/.
While perhaps not applicable on Martin Luther King Day, depending on the weather, United Way in Friday Harbor coordinates a cold-weather shelter for those in need during extreme weather conditions.
According to the website, on any given night, there needs to be two volunteers in order for the shelter to open, so there is never just one person alone.
Hours last year were from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. (slight fluctuations do happen in order to accommodate varying situations). During those hours, we check in the guests, set them up with bedding and possible toiletries, and offer and prepare dinner and breakfast. Volunteers can bring laptops and/or other items they may need or want as well.
There is a $75 stipend for overnight volunteers. If you sign up for a night and the shelter does not open for some reason, you will receive $10.
Conditions for the shelter to open:
1) Temperature must get to 34 degrees or below.
2) A guest (only one) has to call and leave a voicemail at 360-298-9301 that they want to stay at the shelter.
3) Two volunteers must sign up for that night.
For more information and volunteer forms, visit https://www.unitedwaysjc.com/cold_weather_shelter.
One can always take a leisurely stroll on their favorite beach while picking up trash. That seemingly simple act can do wonders for the islands.
Volunteering can help people make friends, learn new skills, advance their careers and even feel happier and healthier if you find the project that is right for you. It is also a wonderful way to remember the legend whose dream changed the course of the nation.