On August 3rd 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at 40th and Lancaster during a Freedom Now Rally in front of a crowd of 10,000 people. The Peace March ended there in 2018 with speeches from community leaders. (Photo courtesy of People’s Emergency Center).

Beginning this weekend, local universities and other non-profit organizations will be hosting many events, for adults and children alike, and volunteer projects in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Most of the events are happening on the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 21.

Here are some of these events; more events in the area from now through Monday can be found at this link.

Annual Social Change Symposium to Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

January 17 – February 1, 2019, University of Pennsylvania and other locations

The symposium is organized by the African-American Resource Center and includes service opportunities, as well as performances, lectures, and discussions. On Friday, Jan. 18, 12-1 p.m., bring your kids to the Penn Family Center (3615 Locust Walk) for a special story time to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Register here.

On Jan. 21, the Day of Service kicks off with a breakfast at Houston Hall, beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by an array of service projects: making audio books for Philadelphia kids, filling bags with toiletries for women in local shelters, community-beautification projects throughout West Philadelphia, and more.

The School of Veterinary Medicine is also running a clinic offering free vaccinations and exams to approximately 250 dogs and cats. Pet owners should call 215-898-4680 between 8 and 10 a.m. to make appointments.

The MLK holiday will end with a candlelight vigil through campus, beginning at DuBois College House and ending at College Green. For more information and to sign up for service projects, go here.

Martin Luther King Day Peace March, Blueprint of our Lives Summit, Children’s Literacy Event and More (Update: some outdoor activities, like clean ups and the food cupboard pop-up, have been canceled due to the cold temperatures in the forecast for Monday)

Monday, Jan. 21, Lancaster Avenue and other locations

Rose’s Clubhouse, with PHA, Mill Creek Advisory Council, Mill Creek Community Partnership, and People’s Emergency Center (PEC) will host the Blueprint of Our Lives Part II Entrepreneurship/Business Summit at the Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center, 47th and Aspen Streets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will include workshops from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., resources, one on one consults, vendors, and networking. After the Peace March there will be a Panel Discussion and the Keynote speakers are Kenneth English with Jeanette Tennant. Contact Rose Bryant at 215-900-5871 or rose.bryant711@gmail.com or sign up here.

Also at Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. families are invited to participate in arts, crafts, games, and reading One Book, One Philadelphia youth companion titles “Ghost Boys,” by Jewell Parker Rhodes and “Last Stop on Market Street,” by Matt de la Peña. This event is organized by PEC Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Rose’s Clubhouse, One Book, One Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Division of Housing and Community Development, and Commerce Department.  Contact Kevin Brown at 267-777-5820 or kbrown@pec-cares.org or sign up here.

Mill Creek Playground and Recreation Center, located at 4709 Brown Street, is looking for handy and energetic volunteers to show the facility some love from 9 a.m. to Noon. Service activities will include painting, closet storage reorganization, and a few other indoor projects. Contact Hope at 215-500-4821 or register to help here.

The annual MLK Jr. Peace March will begin at 11:30 a.m. at 52nd and Parrish, led and organized by Redeemer Tabernacle Baptist Church and Keith Coleman of West Mill Creek Advisory Committee. It will end at 40th and Lancaster around Noon for a special ceremony. Come out and help Spiral Q make signs for the March at Redeemer Tabernacle Baptist Church at 219 North 52nd Street at 9 a.m. More details about this and other MLK Day events and activities on and around Lancaster Avenue can be found here.

MLK Day Health Fair

Monday, Jan. 21, Mt. Zion Baptist Church (50th and Woodland)

University of the Sciences students and faculty will offer free health screenings, medication reviews, and nutritional guidance, among other things at a Community Health Fair at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Avenue from 1-3 p.m. on January 21, 2019. For more information visit usciences.edu/MLKDay or contact Charrell Porter at c.porter@usciences.edu or 215-596-7123.

MLK Day Youth Health and Science Fair

Monday, Jan. 21, University of the Sciences Athletic and Recreation Center (45th and Woodland)

USciences’ Youth Health and Science Fair will offer health, science, and wellness activities geared toward elementary and middle school students. This free event also includes a basketball clinic with the USciences men’s basketball team at the University’s Athletic/Recreation Center from 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit usciences.edu/mlkday.