Why Community Service Matters on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
For a list of Martin Luther King Jr. events, see The Prince George’s Post January 10–16, 2019 edition: http://pgpost.com/archives.html
(SPM Wire) Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be commemorated on January 21. If you are planning how to best spend the time off from work or school, consider volunteering.
To honor the life and legacy of King, many communities offer service events that are easy to join for one day.
From serving meals to the elderly to interpreting critical health information to new immigrants, there are many ways you can devote your skills, time and energy to others in need.
A national listing of service projects can be found by visiting nationalservice.gov.
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, consider how you can honor a great man, while helping to build a stronger community.
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Local Day of Service Events:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Date and Time: Monday, January 21, 2019, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Description: Large scale trash and debris removal at the corner of Adelphi Road and Belcrest Road. Join Volunteers from the City of Hyattsville’s Teen Center for a large scale trash & debris from the area adjacent to Northwestern High School. All necessary materials will be provided; cotton work gloves and a set of Safety Guidelines. Volunteers are reminded to dress for the elements; long pants & sleeves, sturdy boots or shoes. Please bring water & sunscreen. You will get dirty! How This Helps Our Community: Removing trash & debris near the local high school will contribute to the overall beautification of our city, remove a blighted area, and create a safe natural environment. Participation in this event helps to satisfy the State of Maryland Student Service Learning requirement. Hosted by City of Hyattsville.
Cost: FREE. Join at www.allforgood.org/projects/4Q0wzqkR
Ages: Volunteers must be 13 years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Location: 7000 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Contact: Colleen Aistis, caistis@hyattsville.org, 301-985-5057
MLK Day of Service 2019, Silver Spring, MD
Date and Time: Monday, January 21, 2019, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Description: By Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Join us in celebration of service and volunteerism. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent questions is: What are you doing for others?” Dr. King devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and economic opportunity for all. He challenged us to build a more perfect union and taught us that everyone has a role to play. Join us in living up to Dr. King’s challenge and be a part of a service project, which will benefit county organizations and the local community. Learn about the various community service groups, nonprofit organizations, foundations and more, who can use your help, not just on that day, but all year.
Cost: FREE, BUT YOU MUST HAVE A TICKET TO SERVE. Register at eventbrite.
Location: Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Contact: @mcacdst, Facebook: mcacdst
Martin Luther King Jr., Day To Serve
Date and Time: Monday, January 21, 2019, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Description: Join the University of Maryland Black Alumni Association for our MLK Day to Serve. Volunteers will gather at the museum and carry out community service efforts to benefit local, underserved communities.
Cost: FREE, Register at bdmuseum.maryland.gov/events/
Ages: All ages are welcome
Location: Banneker-Douglass Museum, 84 Franklin Street,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Contact: 410-216-6180
Martin Luther King Day of Service
Date and Time: Monday, January 21, 2019, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Description: The mission of this event is to inspire high school and middle school aged youth to work towards progress and equality, and celebrate diversity in their own communities. Students will participate in interactive workshops geared towards community service and will be able to receive community service hours at the end of the day. How This Helps Our Community: Community members and youth will participate in hands on workshops to create food baskets, hygiene kits, and kindness letters for those in their communities. Skills Needed: Writing, Public Speaking, Child Care. Organization: Latin American Youth Center/ Maryland Multicultural Youth Center
Cost: FREE
Ages: Youth. Join at www.allforgood.org/projects/28gzV9QR
Location: 2611 Buck Lodge Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783
Contact: Al’Asia Davis, alasia@layc-dc.org, 206-423-4085
Banneker-Douglass Museum Releases Video From ‘Year of Frederick Douglass,’ Invites Marylanders to Join Celebration
More than 9,000 Visit State’s Official Museum of African American Heritage
By ALEX CHOI
Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 10, 2019)–—The Banneker-Douglass Museum today announced the release of a promotional video for the museum’s celebration to close out the “Year of Frederick Douglass.” The “Year of Frederick Douglass,” which runs from February 14, 2018–February 14, 2019, was announced last February when Governor Larry Hogan issued a proclamation establishing the commemorative year in observation of the bicentennial of the birth of the renowned abolitionist and Maryland native.
“The Year of Frederick Douglass has helped spark renewed public interest in learning about the rich heritage, history, and culture of Maryland’s African American communities, and our Frederick Douglass themed events combined with our new and existing programming has drawn in large numbers of visitors from around the nation,” said Chanel Compton, Director of the Banneker-Douglass Museum. “We are excited to release this promotional video inviting all to join us as we celebrate the outstanding success of the Year of Frederick Douglass.” [See video at https://youtu.be/e3o1n8qsaBo]
The Banneker-Douglass Museum has hosted nearly 30 Frederick Douglass-themed events in 2018, including the opening of the “Douglass Reading Room”—a temporary exhibit guest curated by Greg Morton, artist and owner of one of Frederick Douglass’ former Baltimore homes. These events along with the introduction of new programming have generated renewed enthusiasm, with over 9,000 visitors recorded in 2018.
The Banneker-Douglass Museum ‘Year of Frederick Douglass’ concluding celebration will be held in the museum on February 9, 2019 from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., and will be co-hosted by the Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation. The program will include remarks from special guest speaker, Kenneth B. Morris, Frederick Douglass decedent and founder of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. Individuals interested in attending should register by visiting: https://conta.cc/2Fazznw.
Located in downtown Annapolis, Banneker-Douglass Museum serves as the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage. Since opening its doors in 1984, the museum has continued to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds to share the rich cultural traditions and history of Maryland’s African American community through programs and exhibitions highlighting the importance of education, community, and historic preservation.
A full list of upcoming events can be found by visiting: https://bdmuseum.maryland.gov/events/.
Banneker Douglass Museum is a unit of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. The Banneker-Douglass museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Admission is free. To learn more about Banneker-Douglass Museum, visit: http://bdmuseum.maryland.gov/.
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Md. Senate President Miller Announces Cancer Diagnosis
By NATALIE JONES, CHARLIE YOUNGMANN and DAVID JAHNG
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Jan 10, 2019)—Maryland Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr., D-Prince George’s, Charles and Calvert, announced Thursday to the chamber he has led for more than three decades that he had been diagnosed with and was being treated for prostate cancer.
Rather than discussing his illness, Miller had printed statements distributed around the chamber that detailed his diagnosis.
“The story’s gotta be about the Senate. It’s not about me, it’s about the Senate,” Miller said after the statements had been distributed, quickly moving on with the day’s proceedings.
Miller was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2018, along with other osteopathic issues, he said in the statement.
He was prescribed pharmaceuticals and continued physical therapy until late December, when he awoke with a sharp pain in his leg.
An oncologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital informed Miller and his family that the cancer couldn’t be managed through medicine alone.
Miller said he will be undergoing chemotherapy during this legislative session, his 33rd year serving as Senate president.
“... in spite of my treatments, I will be fully able to join my colleagues and preside this session,” Miller said in the statement.
Senate Minority Whip Stephen Hershey, R-Kent, Queen Anne’s, Cecil and Caroline, said the news of Miller’s diagnosis was “devastating,” noting that the Senate president had long been a staple of legislative compromise.
Hershey told Capital News Service that he hopes to see Miller in better health this session.
“It was absolutely a gut punch for all of us,” said Senate Minority Leader J.B. Jennings, R-Baltimore, Harford counties.
However, he said Miller’s prognosis was good and that the Senate would come together to offer their support.
“The governor had a health scare, he was able to get his job done. Speaker of the House had his health scares, he’s gotten his job done. We’ll get the job done,” said Jennings.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, R, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2015, and skin cancer in 2018. Speaker of the House Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, had a liver transplant in 2017, and heart bypass surgery in 2018.
Hogan, in a statement, said “I … know firsthand that Mike Miller has earned his place in Maryland political history because he’s a fighter who always gives it everything he’s got, no matter how tough things get. Mike’s tenacity, bravery, and perseverance will ensure that he wins this battle, and he has my full support.”
Senate President Pro Tem Katherine Klausmeier, D-Baltimore County, who would lead in the event of Miller’s absence, said that it was a sad day after hearing his diagnosis.
“I hope the whole world keeps praying. ... He’s the glue that holds the Senate together,” said Klausmeier.
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