Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

MLK Day of Service

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MLK Day of Service at Lehigh University

The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a day each year when individuals across the country perform acts of service to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream.

In accordance with Lehigh University's commitment to diversity, inclusion & equity, and in alignment with our Principles of our Equitable Community, the MLK Day of Service has been designated as an official university-sponsored program. The federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday is on Monday January 20, which is also the first day of classes for the Spring semester. To minimize disruption to the schedule, we will be recognizing the Day of Service early on Friday January 17, 2025. In keeping with policy, supervisors should allow staff members to volunteer on campus or with local community organizations for all or part of the day, without using vacation time to do so. 

See below for a list of opportunities.  If you'd like to suggest additional opportunities, please submit this form.

 

Opportunities:

Volunteer Locally:

  •  Join Lehigh's Community Service Office in our three Community Schools and assisting with projects around the building: from painting to sorting donations in the food pantry and more! Shifts are from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  Sign up here (8 spots per school, locations listed on the form. Contact cel315@lehigh.edu if sign-ups are full, as we may be able to open more spots).
  • Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
  • VolunteerMatch

 

Personal/Professional Development:

 

National Projects and Information:

 

Additional Events on 1/20/2025:

  • MLK Celebration Committee Community Breakfast, 9 AM at Iacocca Hall. All are welcome, but seating is limited. Registration is required by January 13.
  • MLK Celebration Committee Walk of Unity, 12 PM at the Flagpole, symbolizing Dr. King's enduring message of solidarity.  All are welcome, no registration required.
  • Bethlehem NAACP Annual MLK Celebration, 12 PM at St. John A.M.E. Zion Church (718 Pawnee St, Bethlehem PA, 18015). The theme is "The Battle is Not Ours, It Is the Lord's" and the keynote speaker is Shanise M. Palmer. This event is free and open to the public, though parking is limited; refreshments will be served.
  • The Allentown Art Museum (31 North Fifth St, Allentown PA 18101) will feature art making, live musical performances, poetry and more from 11 AM to 5 PM.  Admission and parking are free. Learn more here.

 

Thank you to all who joined in the 2024 day of service.  A sampling of photos is below.  Read about the efforts that faculty, staff and students participated in here.  

 

  • Volunteers from the Provost Office outside the Lehigh Valley Humane Society
    From left, volunteers Daniele Hollland, Marci Levine, Madi Holland, Janele Krzywicki, Cindy Hart, Emily Ford, Shannon Keefer and Jessica Jackson. Photo: Jessica Jackson
  • Trash-pickup crews included members of the lacrosse and cross-country teams, the cross-country coach, and staff from the Development and Alumni Relations office. Photo: Mary Ellen Alu
  • Carol Hill, director of Student Center Facilities, makes a no-sew blanket for Project Linus during the MLK National Day of Service. Project Linus makes new blankets for children experiencing hardship or trauma. Shown in the background is Ujin Khongorzul '26. Photo: Christina Tatu
  • Adrienne McNeil, assistant vice president for Community and Regional Affairs at Lehigh, joined the MLK Day March in Bethlehem. Photo: Adrienne McNeil
  • Paul Pagoda, who "adopted" a section of roadway near the Goodman campus, gives instructions to the student-athletes and staff who volunteered to pick up trash along College Drive