Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described a “fierce urgency of now” when he spoke at the March on Washington in 1963. Now, nearly 60 years later, his words have renewed meaning. They remind us we are stronger when we march forward, together.
In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Americans, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service in 1994. AmeriCorps leads the effort each year.
This year's Dream Week is a fantastic collaboration between STEP AmeriCorps, members of the former Beloved Community Council, Penn College, Lycoming College and the local chapter of the NAACP.
Links and QR codes for this years virtual events will be published closer on STEP AmeriCorps Facebook page as we get closer to each event. Please also watch the Facebook events for updates based on changes that may need to be made due to COVID.
We (Penn College Student Life and STEP AmeriCorps) are so excited to offer ways to honor MLK and what he stood for during this community wide event! Please share with your friends, co-workers, churches, and neighbors!
To kick off the week -
Wednesday, January 12th 5:00-6:00 pm: Lycoming Tri-County Branch NAACP Meeting held virtually on Zoom. “The NAACP is a multi-racial civil rights organization founded 112 years ago. This storied organization has a long history of fighting for civil rights and the end of racist practices in our country. This local branch seeks to educate, raise up Black voices, and cultivate the community energy of residents in our region to make changes here.“
Zoom Link here:
Monday, January 17th at 10:45 am: In-Person Peace Walk. The Peace Walk begins and ends at Christ Community Worship Center (436 W. 4th Street in Williamsport) Pastor Marwin Reeves will be speaking.
Please pre-register at www.stepcorp.org/mlk
Virtual Peace Walk—If you cannot make the walk or prefer to walk on your own, conduct your own peace walk sometime during Dream Week!
Monday evening: Speaker G.I. Drew Hart—Theology Professor, Church Anti-Racism Leader, Social Change Practitioner 7:00 p.m. (Penn College Academic Center auditorium—this event will also be live streamed)
Join Zoom Meeting at:
https://pct.zoom.us/.../register/WN_PgtlJkonQ2OXTc66LK4XYQ
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 18 & 19: Blood Drive at Penn College—help meet a critical need in our community by donating blood! Appointments are needed. Call 1-800-REDCROSSRECROSS.
Wednesday, January 19: Bread For the World "Race and Wealth Gap" Learning Simulation—two times available—12:00-2:30 pm and 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Zoom link for the Racial Wealth Gap Training
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84842476252...
ALL WEEK—Service project
Donation Drive—the organizers will be collecting donations to benefit Dwell Orphan Care and Firetree Place. Donations will be accepted all week from Monday, 1/17 through Friday 1/21.
Donations Requested:
| Dwell Orphan Care (only NEW items) | FireTree Place (NEW or LIGHTLY used items) |
| • New Children’s toys • New Lego Sets • New Family Board and Card games • New Art Supplies and crafting kits • New socks and underwear (kids, youth, and adult sizes) | • Coats • Gloves • Scarves • Socks • Blankets • Umbrellas • Prepackaged and unopened snack food items • Fidget toys |
**Donations may be dropped off at the following points during Dream Week**
1. STEP Inc. , outside the information desk, 2138 Lincoln Street, Williamsport
2. Penn College, CC Bush Campus Center, 200 College Ave, Williamsport, PA
3. New Covenant United Church 202 E. 3rd St, Williamsport, PA
4. FireTree Place 600 Campbell Street Williamsport, PA
5. Entrance of Lamade Gymnasium Lycoming College, Warrior Way, Williamsport PA 17701
Observed each year on the third Monday in January — which falls on Jan. 17 in 2022 — the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. Since its inception, MLK Day of Service has grown and its impact has increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role to make communities better.
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Serving on MLK Day can be an entry point for ongoing volunteer effort and help build connections that strengthen communities. Through service we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences — all great lessons for our children.
With that in mind, here are 4 family-friendly service opportunities in and around Williamsport:
Do you know of a family-friendly or kid-friendly volunteer opportunity not listed here? Please reach out to nicolehickoff@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!
YWCA Northcentral PA
The YWCA Northcentral PA welcomes and invites you to explore ways to share your time and talent within their organization and programs. They greatly appreciate and value your interest in supporting those they serve, and they look forward to developing relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations to both educate and engage in their mission and service opportunities.
How to get started: The YWCA has many options available for volunteering-Direct Service Volunteer, Boutique Volunteer, or administration tasks. Check out their website for more information and to learn more about the requirements (most positions require an application be filled out).
Lycoming County United Way
Volunteering your time is critical to the function of our communities. Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors, lead working committees that drive policy, staff campaign divisions, present information about the Lycoming County United Way to employee groups, determine how money raised is distributed and assist with special events.
How to get started: Are you interested in volunteering with the Lycoming County United Way? Contact them via email or call 570.323.9448 to learn more!
Lycoming County SPCA
Volunteers are a vital part of the Lycoming County SPCA. Without them, they would not be able to perform many of the functions at our shelter. Because of the sensitive nature of their work and the potential liability involved, the SPCA accepts volunteers ages 14 and over. The SPCA is always looking for eager volunteers to assist with the shelter animals and the everyday responsibilities of shelter life. Whether you are interested in walking dogs, socializing cats, office work, or special events, they have something for you.
How to get started: Please complete the Volunteer Application. Once you submit the application, the SPCA's Volunteer Manager will contact you.
River Valley Regional YMCA
Volunteers are essential to the success of the YMCA. Volunteering not only benefits the children, families, older adults, and programs of the YMCA, it also benefits the community and individuals that dedicate their time and energy. All that you give as a volunteer will impact the children and families of our community for a lifetime.
To volunteer, you must have a desire to help instill YMCA character development values in each aspect of the program you are involved in. Those values include respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring. A background check is required and will be performed by the YMCA. Volunteers must fill out an application and attend a volunteer orientation.
How to get started: To volunteer, please download the volunteer application and contact the YMCA by clicking here or contact your local RVRYMCA branch.
Check out these links for opportunities to volunteer and serve communities!
https://www.volunteermatch.org/
https://americorps.gov/join/find-volunteer-opportunity#/
How kids can help ... from home
Want more ideas on how to give back to your community that you can do from home? Here are some age-appropriate ideas you can do from home:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grades
- Make cards or pictures for nursing home residents locally or find letter requests here!
- Fill Little Free Libraries or Little Free Pantries
- Package care bags for people without housing or otherwise in need
- Collect old towels and blankets and deliver to an animal shelter
3rd - 5th Grades
- Make easy, no-sew fleece blankets for children in local hospitals
- Collect and sort school supplies and create kits to benefit a local shelter or library
- Rake leaves or shovel snow for elderly or disabled neighbors
- Organize a sock drive and donate to those in need
6th Grade and Up
- Participate in charity walks or runs
- Foster a pet as a family
- Make and donate masks to local family shelters
- Start a club at your school that promotes volunteerism throughout the year
- Initiate a park clean up or beautification project
- Install a buddy bench at a school
