Campus Announcements Archive

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Events

On Monday, Jan. 20, you can honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at events across central Iowa — Make it a day ON, not a day off.

7th Annual MLK Jr. Prayer Breakfast
7:30 a.m., The Knapp Center, hosted by John R. Grubb YMCA
This community event celebrates Dr. King’s legacy and promotes his message for peace and justice and recognizes the winners of the 2020 Make a Difference Awards. Proceeds benefit the John R. Grubb Community YMCA’s annual campaign, giving local families access to the Y through financial assistance and supports enrichment programs like Starfish Academy, a summer literacy camp. Listen to keynote speakers, a gospel choir, and more. Purchase a ticket.

Undesign the Redline Exhibit
10 a.m., 2 p.m., or 5 p.m., Franklin Jr. High
Stop in for a tour of this Polk County Housing Trust Fund exhibit at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., or 5 p.m. on MLK Jr. Day. This exhibit provides background on federal policies started in the 1930s which neighborhoods were worthy of investment specifically due to the race, ethnicity, and class of residents. These policies had a profoundly negative social and economic impact on those living in “undesirable” neighborhoods, especially African American residents, that persist to this day. The exhibit takes place at Franklin Jr. High.

MLK Day of Service at Bidwell Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including helping clients check in for clothing and bread, stocking food pantry shelves, hanging and sorting donations, and cleaning and sanitizing day care rooms. Sign up on the United Way of Central Iowa’s website.

Urban Dreams MLK Day of Service
9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Urban Dreams (601 Forest Ave.)
The day of service will help the organization with thanking supporters, enhancing programming, deep cleaning the office so clients have a nice place for services, and other tasks needed. Learn more.

MLK Day of Service at Community Youth Concepts
10 a.m.–12 p.m. at CYC (1446 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.)
Community Youth Concepts will host service projects from 10 a.m. to noon at CYC. All are invited to participate! There will be a variety of service projects for people of all ages including: making cards for Please Pass the Love, assembling reading packets and making bookmarks for Everybody Wins! Iowa, making seed bombs and bird feeders thanks to Des Moines Parks and Recreation, and making CYC and Stowe Heights magnets to give out at the Annual Spotlight of Service Event. Come you when can, leave when you need to. Learn more.

MLK Jr. Day Packaging event at Meals From the Heartland
Volunteer for a 90-minute shift to package meals for the hungry here in Iowa and around the world. Learn more.

MLK Day of Service Blood Drive
LifeServe will host a blood drive in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at both LifeServe locations. Donors will receive a free gift. Visit lifeservebloodcenter.org to book your appointment.

MLK Day Celebration at the Forest Avenue Library
4–5 p.m. at Forest Avenue Library
Join the Forest Avenue Library and the DSM community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and remember the principles and beliefs for which he fought. The event will feature keynote speaker Dwana Bradley, recognition of student art and creative writing entries, and a hands-on art experience for youth with artist Jill Wells. All six DMPL locations will be closed in recognition of the holiday. Forest Ave. Library will only be open during the program. Learn more.

Volunteer Fair
5–7 p.m. at the Urbandale Public Library
Learn about volunteer opportunities and organizations to volunteer within Urbandale. In addition, those with library fines can donate a new personal care item or nonperishable food item to have fines removed.

Free admission at Science Center of Iowa
SCI invites the community to visit, explore programs and exhibits, and bring learning to life with free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day thanks to support from Principal Financial Group.

Free ice skating at Brenton Skating Rink
8–9 a.m. at Brenton Skating Rink
Free ice skating with donations of warm clothing, such as: Hats, gloves, mittens, and socks. All donations will be distributed to area shelters. Learn more.

Sing Ebenezer! Songs and Stories from Martin Luther King’s Neighborhood
7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, Bldg. #6 Auditorium on the DMACC Ankeny Campus, A free-will offering will be taken
The show is an original program created by the Thresholds Music Projects, Inc.  It features two close friends of the King family.  Dr. Albert Brinson was an assistant minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Dr. King and his father before Dr. King was killed. The other is operatic soprano Sherry Dukes, who was encouraged in her singing by the Rev. King, Sr. and went on to sing with the Houston Grand Opera. They will be joined by Broadway and film performer Roosevelt André Credit and world renowned opera star Simon Estes. Learn more.

People are also encouraged to reflect upon our complex history and how we might best honor Dr. King’s legacy. Iowa Campus Compact shares these resources to explore:

Please contact Amanda Martin, Assistant Director for Community Engaged Learning, at amanda.martin@drake.edu or 515-271-2767 for more information.