On the third Monday of January each year, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day to commemorate his peaceful activism in the civil rights movement.  His message is ingrained in the spirit of America, and part of the way we honor him is actually rooted in Pennsylvania. The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act.  Beyond the U.S., his message resonates throughout the world. In fact, the Japanese city of Hiroshima as well as our Northern neighbors in Toronto celebrate King's message of human rights.

While the world observes the holiday, here are some ways to in your own community:

Lower Bucks

The Bristol Marsh Preserve, located just southwest of Historic Bristol Borough Riverfront Park, is a critical natural feature, serving as a community park and educational area. The Nature Conservancy, the Heritage Conservancy and Historic Bristol Borough invite all volunteers to celebrate this special holiday with a trash clean up to help us keep this area beautiful. Individuals, families, scouts, students, organizations and volunteer groups are all welcome!  Be at the meeting location by 10:00 a.m. Contact Susan Myerov, Senior Planner for the Heritage Conservancy, at (215) 345-7020, extension 101 or at smyerov@heritageconservancy.org.

The Rotary Club of Langhorne sponsors a benefit pasta buffet on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church Hall, 330 Bellevue Avenue, Langhorne. The buffet will be catered by Bella Tori at the Mansion, sponsored by the Langhorne Rotary, with proceeds supporting the Rotary Foundation's effort to eradicate polio from the world. The cost is $8 per ticket for adults, $4 for ages 13 and under and free for children under three. Take out dinners will be available. For information, call 215-752-3281.

The Feasterville Ministerium Presents: The Feasterville Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Education and Worship. Churches in Feasterville will be coming together to host a day of service, education and worship. The community is invited to participate in all or one of the following three events hosted by the Feasterville Ministerium. The day’s events include:

– Interfaith Housing Coalition Service Project at 10:00am

– Dialogue on Race, Moving Towards A Beloved Community from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at The Well: This dialogue     will be moderated by members of the Peace Center in Langhorne. Participants will be give the opportunity to dialogue with others on their experiences with race as we seek to move forward together on this important topic. Location: 1631 Loretta Ave, Feasterville, PA 190532

– 6th Annual Martin Luther King Worship Service at 7:00pm at Linconia Tabernacle Christian Center: We will gather together for an interdenominational worship gathering where we celebrate the good news of Jesus in light of the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr, Location: 2460 Paris Ave. Feasterville, PA 19053

The George School in Newtown will be in session on January 17 for its twenty-second annual all-day commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In addition, Unity Weekend on January 14-16 will explore Dr. King’s message of multiculturalism, diversity, service, and peace.

Central Bucks

CB Cares’ Days of Service Program offers three distinct days of service during the course of the year which prompt community members to develop and support various volunteer service projects. We kick off the year with CB Cares’ annual Martin Luther King Day of Service- a moving opening ceremony engages area choirs, youth performers and various community members as we honor the compassionate spirit of Martin Luther King.   An opening ceremony will be held at the First Baptist Church at 9pm, where they will also collect canned goods or breakfast items to fill the local food pantries. Location: 311 W State Street, Doylestown.

Palisades High School junior Nora Katz has organized a touching MLK Day event at the Michener Art Museum. Forty high school students and ten parent and teacher chaperones will be creating fleece blankets, craft kits, note cards and food items for the Bucks County Housing Group. They will also be writing letters to local elected officials in support of shelter funding. Their efforts will help the Housing Group meet the needs of thousands of homeless people this winter.

Upper Bucks

Get inspired with View & Brew at the Washington House in Sellersville as they present Remember the Titans at 7:30pm.
Based on the true story of the explosive events that took place in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971 when African-American football coach Herman Boone was hired to guide an integrated but racially polarized high school team–the T.C. Williams Titans.

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