12th Annual Lexington MLK Day of Service

The Town of Lexington will hold its 32nd commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with its 12th Annual MLK Day of Service by shepherding our community to take part in assisting those in need. Our objective is to engage and mobilize people of all ages to participate in events and activities to serve others. United in philanthropy under the auspices and sponsorship of Lexington’s Human Rights Committee and the Town Celebrations Committee, our target this year is to serve 2,500+ people through 700+ volunteers.  

To sign up and volunteer, visit lexingtonmlk.org. Got questions? Email us at mailto:[email protected]. 

2025 MLK Day Program

OPENING CEREMONY
​9:15 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
​Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

On our 12th anniversary, please join us for a in-person Commemoration Program and Performance Opening Ceremony. This will be brief with uplifting messages and words by Barbara J. Hamilton M.Ed.
NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY. COME JOIN US!!

 Annual Community Conversation on Race opened by a performance by the Special Needs Arts Program (SNAP) Sing Along Chorus
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
​​Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

​2025 will ring in the 30th anniversary of Martin Luther King Day as a National Day of Service and the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act. In celebration, the Lexington Human Rights Committee presents: Women of the Movement, a program honoring the courageous women of the Civil Rights Movement and their pivotal role in advancing our civil liberties.  
We are extremely proud to announce our keynote speaker - Loretta J. Ross - Associate Professor at Smith College, 2024 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee, and Class of 2022 MacArthur Fellow.  As an activist and public intellectual, Loretta speaks powerfully to the need to join a transformative human rights movement. She will help us pay tribute to the women of the Civil Rights Movement whose contributions to justice and equality for all have often been overlooked.  
Mark your calendars now for this revolutionary experience. After Professor Ross, attendees will explore a walk-through exhibit and discover key figures of the movement and can sign up to take meaningful actions in our local community at the activator fair. 

MLK DAY UNITY PARADE

  • Gather by 1:15 p.m. at the Grace Chapel. Alternate meeting point is Battle Green Statue at 1:30 p.m. and end at Cary Memorial Hall.​
  • We are hoping to make this our biggest walk yet!! Grab a friend, make a sign, sing, shout and walk with us!  
  • ​No registration required.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES at a glance

DONATIONS DROP OFF & SORTING
​9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
​​Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Donate non-perishable food items for the Lexington Food Pantry; new toys for girls and boys ages 6-12 for Birthday Wishes; books, DVDs, CDs, video games and other media for More Than Words; gently-worn kids clothing (winter layers for kids preferred) for Cradles to Crayons; gift cards and new winter gear (sleeping bags, blankets, socks, jackets).

Volunteer in one of two three-hour shifts available 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

NEW! TEENS and SENIORS TECHNOLOGY EVENT
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
​​Lexington Police Station, 1575 Massachusetts Ave. in the Community Room, left of the front entrance 

An Extraordinary group of teens from LHS are partnering with Lexington MLK Day of Service to provide a presentation and onsite technology support for senior citizens. Enjoy a thoughtful and informative presentation, ask questions and hear how to avoid the latest scams targeted at seniors. This event is designed for you to bring your questions and your devices and receive concrete on the spot help.  ​

HELPING HANDS FOR LEXINGTON SENIORS 

Help seniors in our community! Assist with a variety of tasks around seniors' homes, such as changing hard-to-reach light bulbs, replacing smoke detector batteries, raking leaves, clearing snow from walkways, refilling bird feeders, and picking up boxed donations for Goodwill.By volunteering, you'll earn 2 hours of community service, which will be signed off on for your time. It’s a fantastic opportunity to give back, gain valuable volunteer experience, and make a real difference in the lives of seniors.
Sign up today and be part of this impactful MLK Day of Service!For more information or to register, contact Juanica Buchanan [email protected]

DONATION DELIVERY VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1 to 3 hour slots available)
​​Grace Cha​pel, 59 Worthen Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

​Join volunteers to deliver new toys to Birthday Wishes in Natick, MA  or food donations to the Lexington Food Pantry in Lexington.  
FOOD PANTRY SORTING AND PACKAGING at FoodLink
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (1 hour slot available)​
Food Link Arlington, 108 Summer St, Arlington, MA 02474
NEVER-FADING POPPY PROJECT CARD-MAKING
 2:30 - 4 p.m.
​Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Join the MLK Celebrations Committee and the Never-Fading Poppy Project for the annual MLK Card Making Event at the Grace Chapel Courtyard where we’ll create appreciation cards for veterans at the Bedford VA, active military personnel overseas, healthcare workers at Lawrence Community Health Centers, and essential workers.

Support Lexington MLK Day of Service! We need your help!

Every year we do our best to run as many activities as possible, to help and thank as many underserved and in need families, children, veterans, first-line responders as we can, and to involve as many community member volunteers as we can, but everything we do needs your support. 
  • Can you donate $10-$20 to help us defray the costs of fleece blankets?
  • Can you wear your support by buying a MLK Day of Service T-shirt? T-shirts will be on sale at Grace Chapel on MLK Day!
  • Can you make a donation to help us run the Community Conversation on Race? 
  • Would you like to join the Organizing Team, or have an idea for a service project?

If you can't attend, please make your check payable to the Town of Lexington, with MLK Day of Service in the memo line and mail it to:
Select Board Office
Town of Lexington
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
Created by Lexington CommUNITY