MLK Day Service Projects: How To Help In Buffalo Grove

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been designated by groups and organizations nationwide as "a day on" since the third Monday of January was designated a national holiday in memory of the late civil rights icon. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, there are ways to make a positive difference in Buffalo Grove on the Jan. 18 holiday this year.

Organized service projects have taken the place of the traditional work or school holiday in recent years. But in 2021, restrictions in place to slow the further spread of the coronavirus are impacting the ability to perform some good deeds.

CRADLES TO CRAYONS

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left a legacy of service that is a meaningful part of the mission at Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization in Chicago "driven by a focused and all-important goal: to make life better for children in need."

This MLK Day of Service, join people of different skill sets and backgrounds in making a difference in the community (socially distant, of course) on Monday, in one of three ways:

1. Shop the Cradles to Crayons Amazon Wish List for the organization's most-needed items
2. Be of service in the community by participating in a virtual volunteer activity or volunteer safely in-person. Sign-up here!
3. Donate new or gently-used items at one of our six drop-off locations from 10-1 p.m

• coats (sizes newborn to adult medium)
• Winter boots (sizes 5 infant/toddler to adult 10)
• Winter accessories (infant through young adult)
• New diapers

View full donation guidelines here. Tag Cradles to Crayons on social and show they organization how you’re celebrating MLK Day! #serviceisourlegacy

MLK Day Drop-Off Locations:

The following locations are collecting from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday

• Bank of America – Buffalo Grove, 1300 North Arlington Heights Road, Buffalo Grove

Before the coronavirus pandemic, communities across the country held large events in various locations promoting service on the holiday.

Those have included Highland Park, where the local human relations advisory group usually draws about 1,200 people every year to a service program that has turned into one of the city’s signature yearly events.
This year, the city will hold a virtual program to “honor the legacy of Dr. King's fight against inequity and his work to secure a just future for all,” Amanda Civitello, communications manager for the city of Highland Park, said in a news release.

Even if there aren’t any organized service projects planned nearby, there are several other ways to help those in need in or near Buffalo Grove.

Donating to nonprofit organizations, volunteering with food banks and pantries, and delivering meals and groceries to seniors are a few suggestions outlined by the national volunteer program AmeriCorps.

A list of organizations supporting COVID-19 response efforts had been made available by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.