PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 31st annual Martin Luther King Day of Service kicked off in Philadelphia early Monday morning.
Temple University is hosting the event for the first time since 2009, rather than its usual home base of Girard College. It is taking place at Temple’s Pearson/McGonigle Hall.
Over the last 31 years, more than 2.7 million people have participated in Philly’s MLK Day of Service — the largest MLK service day in the nation. Long-time organizer Todd Bernstein said that’s a reflection of its impact on the community.
“The key to this is that this is much more than a birthday celebration,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to embrace Dr. King’s legacy of civil rights and social justice.”
This year’s theme is equity in education. Volunteers are assembling literacy kits and building “book arks” — bookcases that will be stocked with free books in underserved communities.
There is also a kids’ carnival, featuring educational activities that promote children’s literacy.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said this day gives her hope.
“No matter the challenge, the obstacle, when we are coming together, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish,” she said.