As a nation, we set aside the third Monday of every January to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Many communities chose to remember Dr. King by spending the day participating in local service projects. Today we want to highlight one such community: Bloomfield, New Jersey which happens to be the home of thinkLaw’s very own Dana Moore.
Bloomfield began its annual six-week community-focused initiative called the Season of Giving. The event kicked off on December 4th and will culminate with the Martin Luther King Day of Service. Throughout the 6 weeks Bloomfield residents and local businesses joined forces to collect non-perishable food and baby items to meet needs within the community.
The Martin Luther King Day of Service will be held on Saturday January, 13, 2018 at Demarest Elementary School followed by a special service Monday, January 15th at Lighthouse Baptist Church. Bloomfield began celebrating The MLK Day of Service in 2015 and has quickly become one of Dana’s favorite days of the year. “I’m really excited to participate in the overwhelming support and turnout of our township, build community and have fun together. But what I love most is raising awareness of this day, the legacy of MLK Jr. and the efforts of communities across the nation in honor of his contributions to our country.”
Service projects in Bloomfield have varied throughout the years but have included book drives, food drives, and beautification projects at local schools and libraries. This year, the service day will include collecting non-perishable food and baby items as well as brightening areas of Demarest Elementary School. Dana said, “As a kid, I loved the murals on the walls of my schools. I remember taking my time walking through the halls so I could look at each and every one; and I wanted to paint them too! For the past 3 years I’ve gotten to do just that and share that same joy with my children and so many other Bloomfield students.”
If you live near Bloomfield and would like to participate in the Martin Luther King Day of Service, you can drop non-perishable food and baby items at Demarest between the hours of 8:30 and 4. Recommended food donations include sealed peanut butter, jelly cereal, pasta, sauce, and soup. Needed gifts for babies include new unopened diaper packs (all sizes), pull-ups, baby wipes, diaper rash cream, baby shampoo and soap, soft blankets, bibs, learning toys, baby and toddler clothing, bottles, snacks for toddlers, and infant formula (Similac Advance is prefered).
How are you choosing to remember and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King? Let us know on Facebook or on Twitter @thinklawus
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