Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: MLK Day at WPI

WPI is participating in two different MLK Day service opportunities and is collecting donations for the following:

1)  The Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS) and United Congregational Church are collecting new books for local second and third-grade students for Fitchburg Public Schools and Worcester Public Schools. The books will be added to literacy kits and distributed through school principals. Age-appropriate books on Dr. King, other civil rights leaders, or justice and equity topics are needed. In addition, WAMS staff will use all money donated to this drive to buy the necessary books.

2) The YMCA of Central MA will be putting together emergency overnight kits for foster children in the city. The kits will include PJs, socks, and toothbrushes.  The donations needed now are PJs and socks (of all sizes).

Call to action: If you would like to donate books, PJs, or socks (of all sizes), there will be a plastic bin located at the Higgins House lobby, the STEM Education Center (157 West St.), and the Collegiate Religious Center (19 Schussler Road) all next week for drop-off.  

If you would like to make a monetary donation to add to the WPI contributions, please email Katie Bilotta, Director, Community Relations.  

If you have any questions, please contact Noemi Robertson, Director for Community Partnerships and Educational Equity at the STEM Education Center, or Katie Bilotta.

Additional Acts of Service You Can Do (Recommended by ODIME): 

• Donate to Flourish at Thrive—a local food pantry (Worcester, MA).
• Donate or Volunteer with Food Banks and Pantries—Visit Feeding America or Food Pantries to find an organization near you.
• Deliver Meals and Groceries to Vulnerable Seniors—Contact local Meals on Wheels to learn ways to volunteer.
• Volunteer locally in Worcester at YMCA’s Greendale Family Branch or Central Community Branch on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST to assemble kits for foster children.
• Join the community for the 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 9:00 AM in the May Street Building located at 280 May St, Worcester, MA 01602.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Celebration R.S.V.P.
• Register to Vote -OR- Check Your Voter Registration
  • Everything you need to vote. Vote.org
• Become a Poll Worker