Serve with Those Around You This MLK Day!

In 1994, Congress declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day a National Day of Service.

Every year since, volunteers across the nation unite to lift one another through kindness, support, and purposeful service. This January, join the movement to uplift, inspire, and Be Great—by simply choosing to serve.

See How Others Spread Goodness Last MLK National Day of Service

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Bedding Drive for Refugees in Central Wisconsin

Wausau, Wisconsin
Volunteers collaborated with JustServe to organize a bedding drive for the Ethiopian Community Development Council in Wausau, Wisconsin, in honor of MLK Day.
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Distributing Hygiene Kits

Montgomery, Alabama
Volunteers helped Women in Training distribute hygiene kits to young women during the MLK Day Birthday Bash in Montgomery, Alabama.
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Indy Youth Interfaith Service Project

Carmel, Indiana
Volunteers from diverse faiths in Central Indiana came together on MLK Day to assemble overdose kits, decorate meal bags, and tie blankets for local nonprofits.
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MLK Service Day in Denton, Texas

Denton, Texas
JustServe volunteers and Guyer High School Key Club students helped set up, assist, and support the MLK Day program and march in Denton.
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Bedding Drive for Refugees in Central Wisconsin

Wausau, Wisconsin
Volunteers collaborated with JustServe to organize a bedding drive for the Ethiopian Community Development Council in Wausau, Wisconsin, in honor of MLK Day.
Image used for IP approval and landing page testing. This image is not approved for distribution outside of the landing page. Do not use.

Distributing Hygiene Kits

Montgomery, Alabama
Volunteers helped Women in Training distribute hygiene kits to young women during the MLK Day Birthday Bash in Montgomery, Alabama.
Image used for IP approval and landing page testing. This image is not approved for distribution outside of the landing page. Do not use.

Indy Youth Interfaith Service Project

Carmel, Indiana
Volunteers from diverse faiths in Central Indiana came together on MLK Day to assemble overdose kits, decorate meal bags, and tie blankets for local nonprofits.
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MLK Service Day in Denton, Texas

Denton, Texas
JustServe volunteers and Guyer High School Key Club students helped set up, assist, and support the MLK Day program and march in Denton.

Join a National Movement of Goodness

When you volunteer in your community, you unite with others to lift those around you. And when we all lift wherever we are, our efforts are multiplied. Whether you’re serving side-by-side in your neighborhood or from your kitchen table, every act of kindness makes a difference.

Ways to Serve Locally

Step out your front door and serve your community.

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Help at an Animal Shelter

Care for rescued animals by feeding, walking, and socializing them to prepare for adoption.
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Join a Community Clean-Up

Participate in neighborhood beautification by picking up litter, planting trees, or maintaining public spaces.
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Support a Food Pantry

Help sort, pack, or distribute food so families don’t go hungry.
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Visit a Senior Center

Spend time with elderly residents, lead activities, or help with errands to reduce loneliness.
Find Projects Near You

Ways to Serve Virtually

  • Write Letters of Encouragement: Send uplifting notes to seniors, hospital patients, or military members who could use a reminder that they’re not alone.
  • Tutor or Mentor Online: Offer virtual tutoring sessions or career mentoring to students and young professionals who need guidance and support.
  • Read for the Visually Impaired: Record audiobooks or read documents aloud for people with vision loss through volunteer reading programs.
Teenage sisters working on family history with laptop, old photos, and family name cards.
Teenage sisters working on family history with laptop, old photos, and family name cards.
  • Write Letters of Encouragement: Send uplifting notes to seniors, hospital patients, or military members who could use a reminder that they’re not alone.
  • Tutor or Mentor Online: Offer virtual tutoring sessions or career mentoring to students and young professionals who need guidance and support.
  • Read for the Visually Impaired: Record audiobooks or read documents aloud for people with vision loss through volunteer reading programs.

JustServe Clubs

JustServe clubs empower students to lead and organize volunteer efforts within their communities. These clubs provide a network for students to coordinate meaningful projects like food drives, virtual tutoring, or neighborhood clean-ups. Through JustServe, clubs can find local and virtual volunteer opportunities that match the skills and interests of club members.

Want to Start a Project for MLK Day?

Here are some ideas of where to start:

A woman in a sewing shop in Salt Lake City.

Community Partnerships

Connect with local businesses and nonprofits to collaborate on service projects or gather donations and volunteers.
Aisles and rows of bookshelves full of books, at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. (horiz)

Libraries or Community Centers

Visit local libraries or centers that might host educational events, volunteer fairs, or public service opportunities tied to MLK Day.
Finger on screen mobile phone closeup

Online Resources

Use the JustServe website or app to find projects near you, or search online for ideas that might interest you.
“EVERYONE HAS THE POWER FOR GREATNESS.”
–Martin Luther King Jr.

Show how serving impacted you and those you served.

Post your experience—use #BeGreatJustServe and tag @justserve.