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.
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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 4 family-friendly service opportunities in West Seattle:
Senior Center of West Seattle
Volunteers are always needed to help run programming, events, and activities. The Center currently has a need for Volunteers in the Café, Kitchen and for Technical Assistants. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete an application here. If you have questions, please contact the SCWS volunteer coordinator.
Westside Friends
Would you like to support an elder in West Seattle and make a new friend? The Senior Center’s Westside Friends (WSF) program matches caring volunteers with West Seattle elders in need of companionship. Volunteers may make a friendly visit or phone call, help with projects, take walks, or drive to the store or an appointment. Social distancing is observed as appropriate and hours are flexible. Please complete the online application.
West Seattle Food Bank
West Seattle Food Bank provides emergency support services to individuals and families experiencing or recovering from crisis. Whether a family is in need of food, financial assistance with past-due bills, bus tickets, or clothing, the West Seattle Food Bank helps hundreds of families in need. There are a number of ways to volunteer: donate funds, donate food or clothing, and volunteering time to help run the Food Bank or Clothesline. All new volunteers start by attending our remote Volunteer Orientation over Zoom. To sign up for an orientation CLICK HERE.
West Seattle Junction
The West Seattle Junction is a thriving community located in the heart of West Seattle. We are seeking ongoing opportunities for volunteers to spend worthwhile time making the Junction a thriving and exciting place to live. Opportunities range from festival support to Junction ambassadors, to street team, to Junction clean-up.
Current opportunity: Take the opportunity to help out by walking around picking up debris! Four kits at a time will be handed out to maintain plenty of distance. Interested in helping out? Email the Junction info@wsjunction.org to schedule the pickup time for your social distance cleanup kit.
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
- 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
