MLK Day of Service: How National Park Service Volunteers Can Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his "I Have a Dream" Speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963.

This year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (MLK Day) falls on January 15. 2024 will mark the 29th celebration of the annual service event since Congress designated the MLK holiday the first ever National Day of Service. MLK Day holds a special significance as it is not just a federal holiday but also a commemoration which encourages Americans to actively contribute towards bringing about meaningful change in their communities.

Volunteer in honor of MLK Day:

By dedicating your time and skills on MLK Day, you actively contribute to transforming Dr. King's dream of a beloved community into a tangible reality. Through volunteering, you have the opportunity to honor Dr. King's legacy by empowering individuals, supporting community strength, breaking down barriers, and fostering innovative solutions.

Embrace the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by exploring unique volunteer opportunities. This year, engage in a purposeful experience by seeking out large impact community-based service initiatives, contributing to environmental justice projects, or simply taking the time to educate yourself on the significance of this civil rights leader's life and legacy.

By choosing to engage in this day of service, you strengthen ties to your community and contribute to the social progress that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to achieving.

Get involved:

Use the NPS.gov MLK page or Volunteer.gov to find parks that are participating in MLK Day of Service. Searches can be filtered to specific parks on days on and around January 15.

A photo taken at the MLK Memorial with cherry trees surrounding the stone carving of Dr. Martin Luther Kind Jr.

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Follow in Dr. King’s Footsteps:

You can also get involved by following in Dr. King’s footsteps with a visit to one of the National Park Service sites that preserve his story:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. (Atlanta, GA)

• Georgia: Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

• Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (Alabama)

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (District of Columbia)

Learn more:

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

• Martin Luther King, Jr. - Civil Rights (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

• Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. - NPS Commemorations and Celebrations (U.S. National Park Service)

Interested in becoming a Volunteer?

Visit Volunteer with Us to discover volunteer opportunities at national park sites near you.

The official logo for the Volunteers-In-Parks Program.