SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in acts of service with a variety of organizations.
The Salt Lake City Mayor’s office and YouthCity teamed up with the Utah Food Bank, and more than 150 volunteers helped sort through packaged food for families and people in need.
Among the volunteers was Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, who said service is a great way to spend this holiday.
“This is a day where we’re commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and what better way to honor his legacy than to give service in the community we live in.”
Students and faculty from Westminster College also participated in a day of service to honor Dr. King. Members of the community gathered in front of the school for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Participants said they wanted to honor Dr. King with a march through Sugar House as well as acts of service.
Westminster College President Brian Levin-Stankevich said, “Whether it be Veterans Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we need to remind ourselves why we have these holidays in the first place and what their meaning is to all of us.”
The students made hygiene kits that will be donated to the Crossroads Urban Center, which helps low-income people and families in Salt Lake City.
The YMCA of Northern Utah came together with AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers and others for another MLK Day service project. Children from the YMCA made table decorations for the Taylorsville Senior Center as well as cookies and best-wishes cards for the Rape Recovery Center.
Marya Smith is an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, and she said: “The Rape Recovery Center actually came to us and talked about wanting to do something together, and it seemed like a good opportunity for the kids to spread their natural cheer.”
This is the third year the YMCA has hosted a day of service on MLK Day.
