Livingston To Hold Martin Luther King Jr. 'Day Of Service'

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Livingston Township. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

The Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion invites residents to be a part of this year’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 21, 2019.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Livingston Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Avenue (lower level).

Various donations such as food, items for the Birthday Box program, and more will be accepted; Dr. King’s speeches will be read; and community leaders will give their own speeches in honor of the Civil Rights leader. A special surprise guest will also join Livingston for the Day of Service.

The following groups will be in attendance, conducting or supporting the projects listed:

• Boy Scout Troop 16: Supporting other groups and service projects
• Burnet Hill Elementary School PTA: Collecting nonperishable food donations for CHOW and items for the Birthday Box Project
• Charlotte Heilpern (Livingston resident): Collecting pet care products or food for donation to Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter (Bat Mitzvah project)
• Girl Scout Troop 20164: Collecting toiletries for Eva’s Village in Paterson
• Girl Scout Troop 20290: Presenting their “Take Action” project for their Journey
• Girl Scout Troop 20302: Presenting on the importance of taking five-minute showers for water conservation
• Girl Scout Troop 20735: Collecting cleaning supplies for Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors
• Girl Scout Troop 20743: Offering their “Color a Smile” project
• Girl Scout Troops (all): Making stuffed animals for RWJBarnabas Health Youth patients
• Harrison Elementary School PTA: Making cards and coloring pictures for seniors
• Hillside Elementary School PTA: Conducting art projects
• Livingston Kiwanis Club: Making care kits for distribution to soup kitchens in Morristown, Orange, East Orange, and Newark
• Livingston League of Women Voters: Conducting voter registration
• Livingston Lions Club: Collecting eye glass donations and offering free vision screenings
• Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Making PB&J sandwiches for CHOW
• Livingston Police Department: Providing safety information, Community Policing engagement, and a Poster Contest to be judged by Chief Marshuetz
• Livingston Robotics Club: Presenting a robotics demonstration
• NJ 11th for Change: Offering civics education, activities, and letter-writing to elected representatives
• The Presbyterian Church of Livingston: Collecting cleaning supplies collection for Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors
• Riker Hill Elementary School PTA: Collection of children’s pajamas and books
• Sanskriti of New Jersey: Collecting school supplies
• South Mountain Troop 28: Collecting new, unopened toys and supplies for the Birthday Box Project
• West Essex YMCA: Making throw blankets for Covenant House

Ike's Bagel Cafe will provide a bagel brunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch provided by Blaze Pizza at 12:45 p.m.

Brian O'Shea will read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches at noon, followed by speeches given by Billy Fine and Keith Hines of the Committee for Diversity & Inclusion and Mayor Al Anthony between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m.

Following his speech, Mayor Anthony will introduce a special surprise guest speaker.

Fine, Hines, and Mayor Anthony will then lead the march indoors, where participants will join together to sing "We Shall Overcome."

Throughout the day, members of the Committee will read stories with books donated for use by the Livingston Public Library.

If you have questions or want to volunteer at this event, email Billy Fine (enifyllib@aol.com) or Keith Hines (keithhinez@gmail.com), the LCDI Interim Co-Chairs. Make Monday, January 21 a day on, not a day off!

MLK DAY CLOSINGS/SERVICE CHANGES IN LIVINGSTON

According to a town news release, all Livingston Township offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

However, garbage and recycling will still be collected according to the normal Monday schedule. Any questions about garbage and recycling pickup should be directed to Waste Industries, Livingston’s collector, at 908-436-1966.

The Livingston Express Shuttle will not operate on Monday, January 21. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, January 22, officials said.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Livingston Facebook page here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Livingston Township