Those who wish to give back to the community on Martin Luther King Jr.'s day of remembrance can do so by joining others to volunteer Monday as part of the area's third annual MLK Jr. Day celebration and service fair.The event, which is being organized by Volunteer Frederick , UNESCO Center for Peace and the local branch of the NAACP, will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Frederick Arts Council, 15 W. Patrick St.
This opening celebration will include proclamation readings and presentations by local public officials and community leaders, according to a press release.
Lord Nickens, a past NAACP president, will deliver a keynote address about King's message and its relevance today, including the election of Barack Obama to the presidency.
The service fair will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 2 p.m.
At 1 p.m., event planners will show a film about King followed by a discussion facilitated by the UNESCO Center for Peace and the NAACP.
Booths with activities for children and adults will be set up.
These include:
Making bagged lunches for the Frederick Rescue Mission. Making Valentines for seniors. Creating anti-smoking kits. Writing and decorating cards for troops stationed overseas. Making friendship bracelets for children in the hospital. Putting together packets for the Kids on the Block puppet show.Participants are welcome at any time throughout the day. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of nonperishable food for local food banks or a pet food donation for the Frederick County Animal Shelter.
If someone would like to volunteer, but cannot attend the service fair, Volunteer Frederick has set up additional projects with two agencies.
Tranquility Farm Equestrian Educational and Renewal Center is looking for eight to 10 volunteers to help move a horse pen across a pasture to provide another turnout area for its horses.
Witness Justice needs volunteers to help with a large filing project.
Registration is required for both of these projects. Interested parties may contact Stacey White by Friday at 301-663-5214, ext. 2 or staceyw@volunteerfrederick.org.
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Mount St. Mary's University will celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. this month starting with an MLK birthday party on Jan. 19.
The event, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the O'Hara Dining Room on campus, will include birthday cake and a commemorative slide show highlighting King's life and the years since his death.
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The Maryland Classified Employees Association Inc. will host U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-7th, on Jan. 17 for its Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast celebration.
The event will be held at MCEA's Baltimore headquarters at 7127 Rutherford Road, Baltimore, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Tickets are $12 per person, and can be purchased by calling Barbara Mitchell at 410-298-8800, ext. 204.
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The Hispanic Ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church in Frederick is organizing a Latino health fair Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Waverley Elementary School.
Sponsored by the Frederick County Department of Health, the fair will offer free blood pressure, weight and cholesterol screenings, according to a press release.
Food and prizes will also be available.
