Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described a “fierce urgency of now” when he spoke at the March on Washington in 1963. Now, nearly 60 years later, his words have renewed meaning. They remind us we are stronger when we march forward, together.

In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service in 1994. AmeriCorps leads the effort each year.

Observed each year on the third Monday in January — which falls on Jan. 17 in 2022 — the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. Since its inception, MLK Day of Service has grown and its impact has increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role to make communities better. 

Serving on MLK Day can be an entry point for ongoing volunteer effort and help build connections that strengthen communities. Through service we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences — all great lessons for our children. 

With that in mind, here are a few activities or event that provide a family-friendly service opportunities in Chandler and surround areas.

Do you know of a family-friendly or kid-friendly volunteer opportunity not listed here? Please reach out to 

mackidchandler@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!

We encourage you to reach out to local organizations about volunteer efforts on MLK Day or any other time. Places to look: Any nonprofit, senior living homes, homes for women and children, hospitals, mom organizations, animal shelters, schools, etc. Many towns or local United Way agencies also maintain a local list of volunteer opportunities and needs. Make sure to inquire about what age kids need to be to volunteer with their family. Other places to look: https://americorps.gov/join/find-volunteer-opportunity#/ and https://www.volunteermatch.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Art Project

City of Chandler: Jan. 15, 2022 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, 3 S. Arizona Ave. 

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr, Arizona-based artist, Tiesha Harrison, the Chandler Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Division, and the Vision Gallery invite the public to learn more about the Civil Rights leader by partaking in an interactive art game at the 27th Annual Chandler Multicultural Festival

Each participant will have the opportunity to throw a Velcro ball at a board that spells out community. Depending on which letter they hit, the participant will be invited to create, make or learn something about Martin Luther King, Jr.

Click HERE for more website

Glendale

MLK Day of Service  January 15, 2022 9 AM to 12 PM

Click HERE for more details.

Mesa: Mesa MLK Parade – 2022

Monday, January 17, 2022 – 11 AM
Parade begins on Martin Luther King Jr. Way & Center Street in Mesa

The Community is invited to join the City of Mesa and the Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee in celebration of the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr. on January 17, 2022. Community groups, organizations, businesses, churches, dance groups, bands, and regional cities will stroll in Downtown Mesa during this community event. Click HERE for more info

Tempe: 2022 Virtual MLK Diversity Awards Ceremony

Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 at 8 AM.

This year’s Diversity Awards will feature keynote speaker Dr. Sian Proctor, the fourth black woman astronaut in space and pilot of the September 2021 all-civilian mission. Dr. Proctor will answer questions streamed live from viewers!

For tickets and more information, click here.

Phoenix: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MARCH & FESTIVAL

The 2022 MLK Celebration is a long-standing tradition of the Arizona Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, with a series of events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.

Join the City of Phoenix along with city leaders, schools, local businesses, churches and community organizations, as we pay homage to this great Civil Rights leader on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Arizona State University : The 31st Annual MLK March on West – held virtually in 2022

Wednesday, January 19  11:00 a.m.

The MLK March on West is a tradition at Arizona State University’s West campus that dates back to 1991. The March features middle school students, members of the ASU community, and the public celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and fosters understanding about the history-changing 1963 March on Washington.

This year, educational presentations about the history of the civil rights movement and an inspirational rendition of the “I Have a Dream” speech by ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair will be held online due to school COVID-19 travel restrictions. ASU is reaching out to an even wider audience in hopes of keeping the “Dream” alive.

How kids can help ... from home

Want more ideas on how to give back to your community that you can do from home? Here are some age-appropriate ideas you can do from home:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grades

• Make cards or pictures for nursing home residents locally or find letter requests here! 
• Fill Little Free Libraries or Little Free Pantries
• Package care bags for people without housing or otherwise in need
• Collect old towels and blankets and deliver to an animal shelter

3rd - 5th Grades

• Make easy, no-sew fleece blankets for children in local hospitals
• Collect and sort school supplies and create kits to benefit a local shelter or library
• Rake leaves or shovel snow for elderly or disabled neighbors
• Organize a sock drive and donate to those in need

6th Grade and Up

• Participate in charity walks or runs
• Foster a pet as a family
• Make and donate masks to local family shelters
• Start a club at your school that promotes volunteerism throughout the year
• Initiate a park clean up or beautification project
• Install a buddy bench at a school