Turning Service Into Action for People and Planet: Volunteer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Stefanie Wich-Herrlein
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a day off, it’s a National Day of Service, rooted in Dr. King’s belief that everyone has both the power and the responsibility to uplift their community.
At SOLVE, we see Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a powerful opportunity to care for the places where we live, work, and gather, while honoring Dr. King’s broader vision of justice, equity, and collective responsibility.
Connecting Dr. King’s Vision to Environmental Action
Dr. King spoke often about justice being interconnected. Environmental health is part of that picture. Pollution, litter, and degraded green spaces disproportionately affect communities that already face social and economic barriers.
Volunteering on MLK Day is a way to serve both people and planet, and to actively help bend what Dr. King called “the arc of the moral universe” toward justice. Every piece you collect helps keep our parks welcoming, strengthens our local recycling stream, and prevents waste from entering our waterways. This is a meaningful opportunity to unite in service and make a tangible impact on our city. Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy by taking action and caring for our community!
Why Environmental Service Matters
Environmental projects offer a meaningful, hands-on way to live out the spirit of service that defines Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
Make a direct community impact: Litter cleanups and restoration projects immediately improve parks, sidewalks, rivers, and natural areas.
Strengthen community connections: Working side by side outdoors brings neighbors together and builds a shared sense of responsibility for our surroundings.
Create healthier spaces: Cleaner parks and waterways support public health, wildlife, and access to nature, especially in areas that need it most.
Learn while you serve: Service projects offer opportunities to learn about pollution, water quality, and local ecosystems through real-world action.
What Environmental Service Can Look Like
Martin Luther King Jr. Day service projects come in many forms, including:
Litter cleanups in neighborhoods, parks, rivers, or beaches
Habitat restoration, such as removing invasive plants or planting native species
Recycling-focused efforts that help keep valuable materials out of landfills and waterways
Each project, big or small, contributes to stronger, healthier communities.
Answering Dr. King’s Call to Serve
Dr. King famously asked, “What are you doing for others?” Volunteering on MLK Day is a direct answer to that question.
Service brings people from different backgrounds together for a shared purpose. It builds unity, fosters understanding, and helps create the kind of connected, caring communities Dr. King envisioned.
How to Get Involved with SOLVE on MLK Day
This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on January 19, 2026, and there are multiple ways to participate:
Host Your Own MLK Day Cleanup or Restoration Event
Bring your community together by hosting a litter cleanup, habitat restoration, or recycling-focused project.
SOLVE makes it easy by providing:
Event guidance and permits
Cleanup and restoration supplies
Disposal support
One-on-one assistance to help your event succeed
Whether you’re organizing a small neighborhood effort or a larger group project, we’re here to support you.
Join SOLVE’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Cleanup at Irving Park
Prefer to jump in and volunteer? Join SOLVE’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Cleanup at Irving Park and volunteers of all ages to remove litter and
recyclables.
Last year, 300 volunteers came together to clean streets and sidewalks in the King neighborhood, showing what’s possible when communities unite in service.
Bring your family and friends to a community-led event near your
Every the SOLVE community shows up strong. Support your neighbors, local businesses, green spaces, city streets and waterways by showing up at an event near you. Bring your family, friends and co-workers to amplify your impact.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Martin Luther King Jr. Day reminds us that service is not a one-time act. It's a commitment to caring for one another and the places we share.
By volunteering on January 19, you’re honoring Dr. King’s legacy through action: and helping create cleaner, healthier, more connected communities.
Ready to take part?
Host an event, join a cleanup, spread the word, and make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a day on, not a day off.
