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Montgomery County to Host Annual MLK Jr Day of Service, 'Fill-A-Truck' Toiletry Drive and Birthday Celebration on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day, Monday, Jan. 15

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Montgomery County will host a full day of activities on Monday, Jan. 15, to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day will kick off with in-person service projects designed to benefit the community and will conclude with a free gathering at 4 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda that will celebrate Dr. King’s birthday through expressions in word, music and song.


“MLK Day is a time to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring impact, his vision for equality and unwavering commitment to social justice,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “As he said and showed us, it is on all of us to engage in our communities and contribute to positive change. I encourage you to help make a difference in our community by participating in the County’s volunteer activities on January 15, and I invite you to attend the tribute celebration at Strathmore where we will honor the legacy of Dr. King.”

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center, which is associated with Americorps, will continue its tradition of honoring Dr. King through community service during the annual Day of Service and Volunteer Resource Fair. Dozens of local nonprofits and government agencies will host a variety of family friendly service projects and informational booths from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, located at 5701 Marinelli Road in North Bethesda. Participants can use the free holiday parking at the North Bethesda Metro Parking Garage. Volunteer check-in begins at noon.

While registration for the service projects at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel is currently at capacity, additional service events are being held at six Montgomery County Community Recreation Centers and the Silver Spring Civic Building. Service projects will be available for people of all ages. Montgomery County students and their parents are encouraged to participate. Two Student Service Learning, or SSL, hours are available to Montgomery County Public School students.

Click here for more information and to register for MLK Day of Service.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center has partnered with local nonprofit organizations and the County Department of Recreation to bring opportunities for volunteers to serve in several regions of the County, thereby helping to transform Dr. King’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems.

Service projects to include the following: 

  • Assembling "Snow Day" boxes with Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors.
  • Constructing craft kits for children in hospitals.
  • Making coasters for local senior centers from recycled materials.
  • Assembling hygiene kits and snack bags with Ayuda.
  • Decorating favor bags and keychains with Pop for a Cause.

Follow Montgomery County on Facebook and on X (formerly Twitter) for updates.

Programs honoring Dr. King on Jan. 15 will include:

“Where Do We Go From Here . . . We Choose”
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
4-5:30 p.m.

County Executive Elrich and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee will host “Where Do We Go From Here . . . We Choose,” a tribute honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program will highlight the many positive attributes of Dr. King. It will focus on the choices and actions each of us can make for the betterment of our community—even in a time of division and strife. The program will emphasize that many people choose to live in an inclusive and peaceful community where every resident has value.

There is no charge for the event, but tickets are required. For more information about tickets, visit the Strathmore website or the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights website. Free parking is available in the adjacent parking garage.           

The event will feature a performance by special guest Sweet Honey In The Rock, the internationally acclaimed and three-time Grammy Award-nominated performance ensemble rooted in African American history and culture. The County will commemorate the group’s 50th anniversary with a proclamation. Several members of the group are Montgomery County residents.

Other performers include:

“Fill A Truck Initiative”
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
3:30-5 p.m.

The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center are partnering with Interfaith Works in a special Day of Service “Fill A Truck Initiative.”

Organizers are asking community members and those who attend the Strathmore program to bring toiletry items for donation to the County’s homeless shelters.

Suggested items for donation include portable shower caddies (for carrying items), bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, lotion, lip balms, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, new wash cloths and towels. 

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      Release ID: 24-015
      Media Contact: Jennifer Garfinkel 240-962-1506
      Categories: Consumer