A Day of Service

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed H.R. 3706, officially creating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday. The federal holiday established that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day would be nationally commemorated and observed as a holiday for federal employees.

Almost a decade later, on August 23, 1994 the holiday was transformed into a National Day of Service when President Bill Clinton, inspired by King’s life of service, Congressman John Lewis and former Senator Harris Wofford, signed the King Holiday and Service Act. In making this a “day on, not a day off”, those in the United States are encouraged to perform acts of kindness through service to others by donating time, talent or money.

I have just a short list to share of ways meaningful ways to donate and make a difference.

Kidlit for Los Angeles – auction for wildfire relief
Auction by the kidlit community to raise funds for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts. Bidding open: Jan 20th (9am PST) – Jan 26th (9pm PST).

Kidlt4Ceasefire – Funds will help families evacuate injured family members
There are over 260 AMAZING items to bid on in the 2nd annual #KidLit4Ceasefire auction 15-31 January

ALA Disaster Relief Fund for damaged or destroyed libraries. American Library Assication will work with California Library Association to distribute funds.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Support the Los Angeles Unified School community impacted by the January 2025 fires

These are just a few places I know of that are in urgent need. Perhaps there’s someone in your community, or in your family in need of assistance We’ve got rough times ahead. Sometimes we don’t have the means to donate, sometimes we need to connect someone to a resource. Whatever we do, the National Day of Service is a good way to start our year out right. Despite whatever else may be going on.

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