Community Corner

Organizers Hope to Make SP-F's 1st MLK Day of Service a Success

Registration runs through Jan. 15.

Looking for a new resolution this New Years? Local community organizers are hoping you'll choose volunteering.

For the past year, members of the two towns, local churches, schools, and community organizations have been working together to plan Scotch Plains-Fanwood's 1st MLK Day of Service.

On Jan. 18, residents of the neighboring towns are encouraged to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. and his belief that "everybody can be great because everybody can serve" by donating their time and lending a hand to the many diverse organizations in the area.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While the tradition of service on MLK Day is not new, this will be the first year for a community-wide effort. Originally an idea of the SP/Fanwood Ministerium (an organization that brings together the faith communities, service organizations, and government of SP-F),  the day of service is now co-sponsored by the JCC of Central New Jersey, the Scotch Plains YMCA, United Way, The Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, Patch.com, and both the township of Scotch Plains and borough of Fanwood. 

Age-appropriate activities will take place throughout the two towns on Jan. 18, from planting and decorating flower pots for the elderly to peer mentoring for children on the autistic spectrum. For the adult members of the family, there will be many organizations on hand looking to train volunteers for a number of positions, from answering calls at a crisis hotline to assisting their town as a member of the Citizen Emergency Response Team.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"So many organizations in our community have created volunteer opportunities for the day," said Amanda Barnett, a member of the planning task force. "There is truly is something for everyone." 

The festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 18 with an interactive opening ceremony and program at the Jewish Community Center on Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.  Activities will be held throughout Scotch Plains and Fanwood from 11:15 a.m. through 5 p.m. 

"This is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together," said MLK Day Task Force Chair, Michelle Shapiro Abraham. "Not only will every member of the family learn the importance of giving back, but they'll also discover all the wonderful volunteer organizations at work in their community."

Interested volunteers should can register by clicking on "MLK Day" at the top of Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch's homepage. Online registration will run from now through January 15. Though same day registration will be available during the opening program, participants are strongly encouraged to register online as space is very limited.  

Aside from getting the chance to give back, those who participate will also be eligible to get something in return. SP-F's MLK Day of Service is proud to be a participant in the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program, which allows volunteers who participate in the opening program and at least one additional activity during the day  to receive a free one day pass to a DisneyWorld theme park. Volunteers can also choose to donate their passes to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Information on registering for the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" can be found on Patch's MLK Day page.


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