Chattanooga, TN – The City of Chattanooga is preparing for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a large-scale, community-wide event designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through civic engagement and volunteerism.
The day of service will take place on Monday, January 19, and organizers are currently seeking both project sites and volunteers to support the citywide effort. Each year, hundreds of residents participate by assisting with service projects that aim to strengthen neighborhoods and address community needs.
City officials are encouraging faith-based organizations, churches, nonprofit groups, neighborhood leaders, and local businesses to submit project locations that could benefit from volunteer support. Due to weather considerations, indoor projects are preferred.
Vanessa A. Jackson, community program manager for the City of Chattanooga, said organizations are encouraged to think broadly about how they can contribute. Suggested projects may focus on reducing food insecurity, supporting children and families, promoting the arts, or addressing other community priorities.
Volunteers will work at project sites from 9 a.m. to noon, assisting with activities such as cleanup and organizing efforts, beautification projects, and planting food-producing or shade trees throughout the city. In addition to community-based locations, projects will also be hosted by the City of Chattanooga Department of Community Development at the Midtown City Hall Campus and the East Lake Community Center.
Event organizers emphasized that project leaders are responsible for providing all necessary materials and supplies, including tools, cleaning items, paint, plants, and safety equipment.
The day’s activities will conclude with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, sponsored by the Unity Group of Chattanooga, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Residents interested in volunteering or submitting a project site are encouraged to complete the appropriate registration forms. Questions about participation or event logistics may be directed to Jackson at [email protected].