The 30th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, the nation’s first and largest King Day of Service, happens on January 20th.
Girard College is the celebration site for King’s vision of The Beloved Community, “where all people work for justice, diversity, peace and freedom, without poverty, hunger or hate” (GlobalCitizen365, 2025).
The 1965 Voting Rights Act is also noteworthy, reaching its 60th anniversary in 2025.
The King Day of Service honors and perpetuates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring civil rights and social justice legacy by transforming the holiday into a day of active citizenship. This event also serves as a catalyst for ongoing community engagement throughout the year.
Across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, tens of thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds will engage in many activities. These include hands-on projects, trainings, workshops, dialogues, a Kids Carnival, a Health & Wellness Fair, and various cultural presentations, enriching the community’s involvement and learning.
On January 8th, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker led a news conference at historic Girard College in North Philadelphia to unveil plans for the upcoming January 20 King Day of Service, available on YouTube. A striking mural created by local students was revealed during this event. Additionally, Mayor Parker presented the 27th annual Harris Wofford Active Citizenship Award, celebrating civic engagement and community service.
Girard College will be the venue for the region’s flagship project, marking its sixteenth consecutive year. This significant event is anticipated to host a distinguished lineup of attendees, including Mayor Cherelle Parker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Secretary of State Al Schmidt, Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson, and members of the Philadelphia City Council.
Additionally, other local, state, and federal elected officials, lead sponsor Independence Blue Cross, community and business leaders, grassroots organizations, faith communities, and youth will all participate, making this a comprehensive gathering of influential figures and community members.
At Girard College, the regional signature project will encompass numerous activities, one of which includes volunteers led by Independence Blue Cross. These volunteers will sort and pack toiletries intended for distribution to underserved communities in Philadelphia. This initiative is facilitated through the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement (MONCE) via its mini-City Halls.
Following the project’s completion around noon, the City of Philadelphia will transport these essential kits to the MONCE mini-City Hall located at the Church of Christian Compassion / Community of Compassion Inc., 6150 Cedar Ave, West Philadelphia, 19143. The distribution will occur on future dates and times that are yet to be scheduled.
The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was initiated through federal legislation with the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act, signed into law on August 23, 1994, by President Bill Clinton. This act was co-authored by Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, both veterans of the civil rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This legislation underscored their enduring commitment to civil rights and community service.
The inaugural King Day of Service was launched in Philadelphia in 1996 and has been coordinated by Global Citizen for over three decades. During this time, the event has mobilized more than 2.5 million volunteers. Many of these projects initiated on the King Day of Service have continued to make impacts throughout the year, demonstrating a sustained commitment to community service and engagement.
Global Citizen 365, a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, was established in 1995 to advance social and racial justice, civic engagement, community empowerment, and civic responsibility. It aims to foster sustained active citizenship across diverse groups, promoting a year-round commitment to community involvement and advocacy.
King Day of Service projects at Girard College and throughout the region will address a diverse array of issues, such as:
- Access to healthcare
- Behavioral Health
- Criminal justice system
- Early childhood and adult literacy
- Economic justice
- Educational opportunities
- Environmental justice
- Food insecurity
- Gun violence prevention
- Homelessness
- Housing
- Poverty
- Promoting sustainable civic participation
- Racism
A Rally for Peace and Justice will be held at noon, focusing on the historical significance of Girard College in civil rights activism. This event will feature music and cultural presentations organized by the Cecil B. Moore Philadelphia Freedom Fighters. This organization played a pivotal role in the efforts to desegregate Girard College in the 1960s, making it a key highlight of the day’s commemorations.
The 14th annual Health & Wellness Fair, spearheaded by the Black Doctors Consortium, will feature a host of health professionals. They will offer information, presentations, and testing across various services, focusing on community health needs, including behavioral health. This event is vital to the day’s activities, aiming to improve access to healthcare information and services in the community.
Other projects at Girard College will include:
Collaborating with the Read by 4th Campaign, Global Citizen will host a Reading Captains training session. This initiative champions every child’s right to read in Philadelphia by engaging community volunteers in a citywide movement focused on early literacy. This training is designed to equip volunteers with the tools and knowledge to effectively support and enhance reading skills among young learners across the community.
The Book Trust is joining forces with Global Citizen to distribute 3,000 books to children in Philadelphia, enhancing literacy and fostering a love of reading. Through their partnership with the Reading Captains initiative, they provide opportunities for children to select books that resonate with them, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement with reading. Volunteers will assemble Literacy Kits, including the donated books and essential reading resources, to be distributed to families across the region.
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation collaborates with National Public Radio’s StoryCorps program and its Brightness in Black project. This initiative focuses on recording interviews that amplify the notion that every individual has a valuable story to share, reinforcing the belief in every person’s intrinsic worth and potential. These stories highlight the humanity and possibilities within us all, one narrative at a time. All recordings will be preserved and accessible at the U.S. Library of Congress, ensuring these personal histories contribute to our national heritage.
Several organizations are set to present projects that center on providing economic justice and opportunity resources during the King Day of Service. Participants include M&T Bank, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Rho Theta Omega Chapter, The Voice of ECE, Elements of the Community, and Urban Affairs Coalition. These groups will showcase initiatives designed to enhance financial empowerment and create opportunities within the community.
The Philadelphia Fire Department will contribute to the day’s activities by leading CPR training sessions. This vital training is part of a broader effort to equip community members with essential life-saving skills, furthering the commitment to public safety and preparedness.
Educational activities at the King Day of Service will promote children’s literacy and understanding of historical events. These activities will include reading stories about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement, engaging children with coloring book activities related to the era, and showing videos of Dr. King’s speeches.
Also, free books will be distributed to encourage reading and further educate youth about these pivotal historical moments. These initiatives aim to inspire a deeper appreciation and knowledge of civil rights among young participants.
The King Day of Service includes crucial voter education and registration initiatives. Participants will receive detailed information about the mission and work of various local community organizations and opportunities to engage in volunteer activities throughout the year. These efforts aim to bolster civic participation and foster a culture of continuous community involvement.
The Philadelphia Orchestra will also present its 35th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. This year’s concert, conducted by Damon Gupton, will take place in the historic Girard College Chapel, providing a musical celebration that honors the legacy of Dr. King and promotes unity and reflection through the power of music.
You can register your volunteer activities or sign up for volunteer activities or trainings at Global Citizen 365. All community partners and volunteer groups can create an account and register anything they may be planning in observance of King Day, with no registration deadline.
All of the great volunteer groups and community organizations can be included as part of the story of service every MLK Day!
To see how to participate in King Day, see the overview page. Sign up to learn more by RSVPing to the upcoming planning meetings or filling out the partnership questionnaire, and GlobalCitizen will follow up with you. The next virtual planning meeting is on January 10, and you can RSVP here.
