How did MLK Day of
Service begin?
MLK Day began in 1986 to honor his birthday,
but Congress changed the focus in 1993 to
honor his belief that is best summed up in one
of his famous quotes…
“Life’s most persistent and urgent
questions is, What are you doing
for others?”
MLK Day of Service
calls for…
for Americans from all walks of life to work
together to provide solutions to our most
pressing national problems. The MLK Day of
Service empowers individuals, strengthens
communities, bridges barriers, creates
solutions to social problems, and moves us
closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved
Community."
Beck’s Day of Service
Day One: “Not everyone gets a day off”
• Short video clips or pictures of Holocaust,
Darfur, Little Rock Nine, UNICEF, internment
camps, Philadelphia, Camden, etc.
• Discuss what lives are like for these people
and compare to your own life.
• Reflect and extend “do these people get a
day off?
Beck’s Day of Service
Day Two: United States call to action
• Reading about President Hoover’s call to
action through Victory Gardens and
importance of youth involvement. He said
the future of the US depends on our youth.
• Research other presidents and their service
projects.
Beck’s Day of Service
Day Three: Kids Giving Back
Many kids are developing their own charities,
such as Alex Lemonade Stand.
• Have students research kids making a
difference in America.
• Create a public service announcement to
inform others
Beck’s Day of Service
Day Four: Beck Students Giving
Back…Making a Difference for Others
• Discuss how our time is valuable and the
positive impact we can make by interacting
with others for a common purpose. Service is
about time not just about money.
• Make a Community Connections…Reflect:
how can spending time with others make a
difference?