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  Monday, January 18, 2021 marks the 26^th anniversary of the MLK Day of Service, a federally-observed day of service that coincides with the celebration of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy. All Americans are encouraged to volunteer on this day to improve their local communities.  In the words of Dr. King, let's make this "a day on, not a day off." Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made group volunteer gatherings more difficult, there are still many ways to safely opt into service on January 18. Locally, the young leaders of Public Allies Central Florida are issuing a challenge: that Central Floridians strive to dedicate 2-3 hours of service on January 18, and share their experiences on social media to remind others of the importance of giving back. Participants are encouraged to identify an activity within their comfort level and following local COVID and safety guidelines. Ideas include:

• Write letters to nursing home residents, or deployed military personnel
• Help an elderly neighbor with their lawn care
• Prepare and deliver a meal to a single parent
• Knit blankets, pillows or surgical caps for hospital patients
• Mail encouraging notes to teens in foster care
• Bake a yummy treat for a local fire station
• Organize a front door supply drive for hygiene items, clothes or blankets in your neighborhood
• Sew masks for homeless individuals
• Record a YouTube video reading your favorite stories for local seniors or schoolkids

For even more ideas and resources, visit:

• https://www.adventhealth.com/community-benefit/central-florida/volunteer
• https://www.hfuw.org/virtualvolunteer/
• https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/
• http://www.lettersagainst.org/volunteer
• https://seniorsfirstinc.org/get-involved/
• https://www.experiencekissimmee.com/sites/default/files/Virtual%20Volunteer%20Opportunities_pdf_v3.pdf
• https://www.pointsoflight.org/virtual-volunteering-opportunities/
• https://www.catchafire.org/volunteer?name_filter=&type_filter=1&type_filter=2&page=1

  Don't forget! Participants are asked to snap a pic and share their experience online. Tag Public Allies Central Florida on social media (FB: @PACentralFL; IG: @publicallies_cfl; TW: @PACFLeadership, and be sure to use hashtags #mlkdayofservicechallenge, #doingforothers, #publicalliescf, #MLKDay. For more information about the MLK Day of Service, visit https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve-your-community/mlk-day-service.