From Jan. 14-18, 2021, 1,500 people from Atlanta to India (yes, India) engaged in our MLK Days of Service, presented by The Home Depot. More than 30 nonprofits and 30 companies joined the action, hosting or supporting volunteers at 150 in-person and virtual projects and events. Taking the day (and their computers) ON, volunteers rallied behind a unifying message of helping to build Dr. King’s Beloved Community.
Explore some of the highlighted projects, events and impact below.
Featured Virtual Events
7th Annual MLK Sunday Supper
On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, close to 300 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta joined our virtual MLK Sunday Supper, presented by Coca-Cola. Hosted by 11Alive’s Cheryl Preheim, the evening addressed the Fierce Urgency of Now. With appearances by DeRay McKesson, Stacey Abrams and conversations around racial equity, solutions to systemic problems and moving performances from award-winning poet Alysia Nicole Harris and students in the Atlanta Music Project, it was an evening to remember.
“This is Atlanta.”
“CHILLS, That was incredible and this as a truly inspirational event and beautiful way to start the year.”
Food Equity Lunch & Learn
40 attendees from The Home Depot spent about an hour and a half with Hands On Atlanta to learn more about food inequities in our country. Jon West, VP of Partner Relations led an educational presentation that was followed by curated discussions in small groups, sharing how to build a more equitable future for the next generation.
Hands On Atlanta DISCO
Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members and Civic Fellows handed out books, snack bags, building kits, blankets and gloves, stuffed animals and arts & crafts kits to 50 students in our DISCO program.
Letter writing to metro Atlanta Healthcare workers
Volunteers from Coca-Cola, NCR, ADP and Kia rallied together to write over 600 letters of thanks and encouragement to our healthcare heroes!
Advice Mob with Career Villageworkers
Close to 100 volunteers from NCR and CNA answered 150 questions on college and career readiness on CareerVillage.org.
“Use Your Voice Art Project”
This program was designed to give young scholars a chance to share their thoughts and feelings about the protests and violence from this passed summer through art. Additionally, the process gave students an opportunity, empowering them to talk about ways to make their voices heard through non-violent actions, using Dr. King’s philosophy. Alston and Bird created this unique project in partnership with Andrew P. Stewart Center, Southern Center for Human Rights and UPS.
Featured In-person Projects
Meal Pack and Drive Through Distribution at Ebenezer Baptist Church
Volunteers from OneDigital, Chick-Fil-A, The Home Depot and the community bundled up and braved the cold to pack over 1200 bags of food, make 57 fleece blankets and distribute the items to 400 families in need! Volunteers were joined by Assistant Pastor of Outreach & Young Adult Ministries, Reverend Bronson Elliott Woods and Georgia’s 58th District Rep., Park Cannon for the full-day of service.
Learning in Color Mural
Volunteers from Coca-Cola and the Atlanta community came out to help Learning in Color paint a mural capturing the memories of Atlanta Public High School's graduating class of 2020.
Chastain Park Beautification
Over 40 volunteers from Target came together to plant 2000 daffodils, clear tons of debris and open vistas for all to enjoy!
Even more impact
900+ hours of civic engagement around racial equity in America
700+ letters of appreciation were written to metro Atlanta healthcare workers
300+ letters of encouragement were written to seniors at A.G. Rhodes
550 letters of encouragement were written to students across metro Atlanta
35 stories were recorded and virtually played for kids in the Pajama Program
20 wellness calls were placed to seniors living in NPU-S neighborhoods
7 parks and urban gardens were beautified and improved
celebrate the king holiday
If you didn’t get a chance to join us for our MLK Days of Service, don’t worry, you still have time to join these meaningful projects and events from our community partners throughout January!
We Share The Dream: King's Beloved Community
Join The National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a conversation examining King’s Beloved Community and how the concept of our collective responsibility to the struggles of others is informing modern social justice movements.
Where Do We Go From Here? Facing 2021 and Beyond.
Join Morehouse College for a webinar where panelists will discuss systemic racism, poverty, militarism, and other forms of injustice in our times.
Join a live screening of “Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence” and a post-film conversation with filmmaker Hal Jacobs, Charles Black and Dr. Vicki Crawford.
Do Something Good
Pitch in at Piedmont Park, have fun on Truly Living Well’s urban farm, write thank you letters to our healthcare heroes - there are all kinds of in-person and virtual ways you can help build the Beloved Community throughout January.
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