MLK Day Events in New Jersey – Make it a Day On, Not a Day Off

The chief spokesperson for the civil rights movement is memorialized annually on the third Monday of January. This floating holiday has evolved into just more than a day off from school. Now deemed as a national day of service, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day encourages volunteers across the country to donate their time to make a difference. So instead of a trip to the outlets or hitting the slopes, take advantage of activities with lessons of hope, social change and compassion. Our list includes MLK celebrations, along with service activities. Make sure to visit your municipal and/or library calendars for local events.

For more information on the life and work of Dr. King, please visit The King Center.

The Newark Museum Family Day (Newark, NJ)
Visit the Newark Museum on Monday, January 21 between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and learn about the life and legacy of Dr. King. During the day, the museum will live stream President Barack Obama’s second inauguration and host a performance by the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club. Admission is free, with a suggested donation. For more information, please call (973) 596-6550.

Imagine That! asks What’s Your Dream? (Florham Park, NJ)
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. with craft activities on either Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20 at Imagine That! in Florham Park. From 10am until 5:30pm, your little one can create a personalized picture that answers “What’s Your Dream?” Admission fees are $9.95 for a child and $7.95 for an adult. There is no charge for infants under one year. For more information, please call (973) 966-8000.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center Celebrates MLK Jr. (Newark, NJ)
On Friday, January 18, NJPAC will host SchoolTime, an MLK Jr. music celebration, with contemporary gospel singer Marvin Sapp at 12:00 p.m. This event is focused at children in grades 6-12. To order tickets, please call (973) 297-5828.

Explore the Dream through Art at Express Yourself Studios (Maplewood, NJ)
Children ages 4-12 are invited to the annual Celebrate Dr. King: Explore the Dream through Art workshop on Monday, January 21. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., attendees will learn about Dr. King and the civil rights movement by exploring peace, equality and friendship in art. The workshop is $15 per child, all materials are included. All participants are asked to bring a canned or boxed food item to be donated to the Wallace Chapel Food Pantry Summit, NJ). Please call (973) 763-5256 to enroll in this workshop.

Jersey Cares 2012 Day of Service (various New Jersey locations)
Jersey Cares carries a mission to “be the change.” On Monday, January 21, this organization has more than 50 volunteer opportunities in all areas of the garden state. All events will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. From sorting donated clothing items to painting murals, individuals and families can find activities that will pass on the spirit of MLK Jr. Volunteers ages 4+ are welcome to participate at select sites. Some sites have different age limits, please check before registering. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a youth waiver signed by their parent or guardian in order to participate. Please call (973)424-1091 with questions considering a volunteer opportunity.

Fanwood and Scotch Plains host Day On, Not a Day Off (various locations)
On Monday, January 21, the neighboring towns of Fanwood and Scotch Plains will host its Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. Providing new and exciting volunteer opportunities to the entire family, this day will host more than 40 non-profit organizations from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From the Fanwood Nature Center trail clean-up to delivery Mobile Meals, this event has something for everyone. For more information, please email spfdayofservice@gmail.com.

Volunteer Center of Bergen County (Hackensack, NJ)
For residents in Northern New Jersey, the Volunteer Center of Bergen County is hosting a variety of goodwill activities on Monday, January 21. From ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts to a collection for homeless vets, the volunteer center is also hosting its continuing programs, including Mentoring Moms and Chore. For more information, please call (201) 489-9454.

Martin Luther King Day of Service 2013 at Rutgers (Camden, NJ)
From 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 21, the Rutgers-Camden campus will be hosting volunteer activities to celebrate the legacy of the man that reminds us “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve”! The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Rutgers-Camden has several volunteer options, but only a selection is kid-friendly. For more information, please call the Office of Civic Engagement.

If you are looking for additional family volunteer opportunities, check out our Holiday Volunteering post!