In Bloomington: Volunteers needed for action across town during MLK day

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will be the keynote speaker Monday at the Annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday at 7 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Special Projects Coordinator Craig Brenner said he grew up listening to the voices of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackson.

“It is not every day that you meet someone who was there,” Brenner said about Jackson. “He was there and can talk about things the rest of us can never even imagine.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become a national day of service labeled “A Day ON! Not a Day Off Day of Service,” and Bloomington is no exception.

The 630 tickets available for the event were handed out in two days.

“People are very excited,” Brenner said. “That’s why tickets went so fast.”

Before the celebration at the Buskirk, a reception will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church on East Fourth Street.

Brenner said the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission received grants from the National Organization Service for Peace  and the Community Foundation of Bloomington.

“This year’s celebrations are larger in every way,” Brenner said. “There are more
people at the Buskirk than ever before, more funding than ever before and more volunteering than ever before.”

“Hopefully, one day of service will lead to year round-service,” said City of Bloomington Volunteer Network Assistant Director Lucy Schaich.

She said there are numerous volunteer opportunities available.

Last year, more than 3 million pounds of food were donated to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

“There is a real need for donations,” she said. “Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in serving others and we want to honor Dr. King through our service.”

Volunteers can show up at Rachel’s Café on 300 E. Third Street beginning at 1 p.m. to participate.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Indiana University School of Optometry Community Eye Care Center will give free eye care to pre-registered participants. The participants will receive free glasses courtesy of Bloomington Central Lions Club and the City of Bloomington.

Cry of the Children founder Dellsie Boddie will be hosting “Hold On Change is Comin’” at the Monroe Country library from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Boddie said she is looking for young volunteers willing to help children.

“We are all different, but we want to come together to do what is right,” Boddie said. “If you can identify what you want in life then that’s when you come to the table as a piece of the puzzle, and what Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted was for those pieces to come together as a whole.”