Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. It was created not just as a bonus day off of school or extra vacation day for the lucky, but as a day for the country to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by getting out and serving their communities. As we think about raising a holistically healthy family, a life that gives back is important. If you and the kids have the day off, it’s a perfect time to teach the importance of giving back to the community by getting involved and helping others out. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Seek out service projects in your city – Communities all over the country have projects organized for this day and you might find a project that you can jump into with very little planning. Click here for some great service project ideas devoted to this day.
- Help an elderly neighbor or friend – See if you can shovel snow, do some yard work, or even walk a dog for someone in need. It will mean so much to them and a great lesson for kids to learn about generosity!
- Look close to home – Is there a park in your neighborhood that could use a little TLC? Gather some neighbors, grab the rakes and shovels and head on over. Involve the kiddos by having them pick up the trash. You could even plant some nice flowers or plants to help beautify the space!
- Go through your closet – If poor weather does not permit outdoor activities, take time to purge the after-Christmas clutter that builds up. We often find that old toys are discarded or new clothes have replaced old favorites. Have everyone find at least 5 items to donate and head down to a local donation center.
Whatever you choose to do for MLK Day, be inspired by the words of Dr. King: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”
So tell us, what do you plan to do to help out your community on this day of service?
