The Church of the Bells

MLK Day of Service 2016

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News Release

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2015

Media Contact:
Destiny Drake
info@adayon.org

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Holman United Methodist Church, and Members of the Crenshaw Community to Host Day of Service Event in Celebration of King Day

Free legal, health, and employment services will be offered to hundreds of South Los Angeles residents at Crenshaw Plaza in honor of King Day.

Los Angeles On January 16, 2016, Crenshaw residents will receive free immigration and landlord/tenant legal services, health, dental, vision screenings, HIV/AIDS testing, and employment services at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Community leaders and volunteers will serve a crowd of approximately 200 people, in celebration of Dr. King’s National Day of Service. Holman United Methodist Church, in partnership with the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, and the Los Angeles Sentinel, will host the community event, which is open to the public, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community leaders, local business owners, and volunteers will help bring vital services to the members of the Crenshaw District. “It’s not what we have that makes us great. It’s what we give,” said Dr. Cassandra Bailey, founder of the Day of Service program.  

Organizers of the event have declared it a “day on,” rather than a day off, to dispel the notion of using the holiday for personal leisure. Free immigration and landlord/tenant legal services, health, dental, vision screenings, HIV/AIDS testing, and employer services will be offered during the event. Fruits and vegetables, sponsored by Trader Joe’s, will be offered at no cost to participants. Games and activities will be available in the children’s corner.

In 2013, President Obama observed a National Day of Service in support of the Martin Luther King Day of service. His call to action was met with the support of thousands of people across the country.  Their pledge to serve communities in need has continued throughout the years. To learn more, visit: http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/mlkday.

Since 1983, the King Holiday has been observed in remembrance of Dr. King’s social justice work. The holiday was also established to encourage community service in support of underserved populations throughout the country. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service website, “It is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service.” 

NOTE TO EDITORS: Registration for this event is required.

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     The mission of this project is to offer services that address the essential needs of a vast population whose health may be neglected due to limited resources, unemployment, or underemployment.  Moreover, this project serves as an example to young people who may have yet to experience what it means to give to those in need without expecting rewards.

     For more information about the event, visit the Day of Service website at: http://www.adayon.org

     All inquiries may be directed to info@adayon.org.

     On-camera interviews with Dr. Bailey and event organizers are available, upon request.