Martin Luther King Day

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by volunteering in your community.

This holiday celebration is meant to mark the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King is famous for speaking out against violence and calming people in a time of riotous rebellion. He became the spokesperson for nonviolent activism during a time filled with anger, riots and violence and helped bring peace in an aggressive time.

The call for a federal holiday in King's honor began after his assassination in 1968. It was Ronald Regan who signed the law making the celebration a holiday in 1983. It was first observed on January 20, 1986.

If you believe in his philosophy and want to have an impact, in MLK’s honor, try volunteering in your community. Here are a few options to volunteer in Portland:

• On Monday, Jan. 16, volunteers will converge on Earl Boyles Elementary School, 10822 S.E. Bush St., to clean, weed and remove plants in the courtyard. For more information, call 503-200-3355.

• The Clark Center, 1437 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is looking for volunteers to help make a meal for residents on Monday, from 4:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at its 90-bed transitional housing shelter for men. For details, call 503-200-3355.

• On Monday, Jan. 16, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., volunteers will plant 160 trees along the I-205 Multi-Use Path near the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, 9481 N.E. Sandy. Details: AndyM@FriendsofTrees.org or JennyB@FriendsofTrees.org.

• Volunteers will gather at 10 a.m. Friday at The ReBuilding Center of Our United Villages, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave. to kickoff the Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend of Service.

• Celebrate the birth, life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. with a reading from his works, jazz gospel music and more. 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 N.E. 14th Ave.; free