THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
Honoring a Legacy Through Action — Reflecting on the 2026 MLK Days of Service
This January, Atlanta showed what it means to lead with service. In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our community came together not just to reflect, but to act, turning Dr. King’s vision of love in action into meaningful impact across metro Atlanta.
From January 12–19, thousands of volunteers answered the call to serve with compassion and purpose. Neighbors rolled up their sleeves for community cleanups, educational outreach, food distribution, and environmental stewardship, demonstrating the power of collective action when a city moves together.
This January, Atlanta showed what it means to lead with service. In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our community came together not just to reflect, but to act, turning Dr. King’s vision of love in action into meaningful impact across metro Atlanta.
From January 12–19, thousands of volunteers answered the call to serve with compassion and purpose. Neighbors rolled up their sleeves for community cleanups, educational outreach, food distribution, and environmental stewardship, demonstrating the power of collective action when a city moves together.
In partnership with more than 50 nonprofits and schools, Hands On Atlanta supported 150+ service projects throughout the region. Across five marquee volunteer activations, volunteers packed 60,000 meals and assembled 4,000 comfort kits for neighbors in need. The week concluded with the MLK Sunday Supper, where nearly 300 civic, community, and corporate leaders gathered for an evening of connection and honest dialogue centered on health equity.
Together, Atlanta honored Dr. King’s legacy the way he intended, through service that strengthens our city and builds a more just, caring future for all.
SUNDAY SUPPER 1/18
12th Annual MLK Sunday Supper presented by Coca-Cola
300 of Atlanta’s most influential community, civic and corporate leaders joined Hands On Atlanta at the Atlanta History Center for an evening of dialogue and discourse on health equity.
Atendee’s received a video welcome from Senator Warnock, and the night’s emcee was Cheryl Preheim, morning anchor at 11Alive. Presenters included Corwin N. Harper, President & CEO of Kaiser Permanente, Niya Randall, Lead Facilitator of Thriving Together Atlanta, Dr. Tabia Henry Akintobi, PhD, MPH, Professor and Chair of Community Health and Preventive Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Entertainment was provided by award winning Violinist Joy Black, with an incredible performance by Out of Hand Theater, Conditional Care. Conditional Care was written and directed by Nikki Young, starring Markell Williams.
MARQUEE PROJECTS
Comfort Kit Pack @ Legacy Park
200 Volunteers from Salesforce, Piedmont Healthcare, and AT&T joined Hands On Atlanta & Restoring One’s Hope at Legacy Decatur to pack 2000 comfort kits.
Comfort Kit Pack @ Guardian Works
Over 200 volunteers from OneDigital, Atlanta Dream, Fiserv, Midtown Rotary, Delta Dental, 11alive and The Home Depot Foundation joined us at Guardian Works to pack comfort kits and create fleece blankets for our partners at Restoring One’s Hope!
M4K Pack @ Hope-Hill Elementary with Delta.
175 Delta volunteers met us at Hope Hill Elementary to pack 2000 meals for Atlanta Schools! Recipients include Hope Hill Elementary, Usher-Collier Elementary, Peyton Forest Elementary, Scott Elementary, Kindezi at Gideons, and The Ansley School.
Meal Pack @ Monday Night Garage
Over 150 volunteers from Target, Eversheds Sutherland, Alston & Bird, Chick-fil-A, SouthState, and King & Spalding joined us and Meals for Hope to pack 60,000 meals at Monday Night Garage! Recipients include Atlanta Community Food Bank, Restoring One’s Hope Atlanta, Hope Hill Elementary, Usher-Collier Elementary, Peyton Forest Elementary, Scott Elementary, Kindezi at Gideons, and The Ansley School.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS
Ready to continue doing something good? Don’t miss LOVE Your Park, February 1 - 28, 2026! Powered in partnership by Park Pride, the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation, Hands On Atlanta & Trees Atlanta. Join us for this citywide volunteer initiative for hands-on projects to help care for, beautify, and strengthen Atlanta’s parks. Let’s show our parks some love all month long!
Snowballs, Supper and Service - Looking back at the 2025 MLK Days of Service
It was just 10 days ago when 5-6 inches of perfect packing snow painted the city. Snowmen came alive across neighborhoods, kids (and let’s face it - grown adults, myself included) were sledding down the streets and literally skiing in Piedmont Park, and the start of the 2025 MLK Days of Service was put on hold.
The good news is the snow didn’t last, and what came next was one of the biggest, most impactful stretches of service in our 35 years. Together, 5,000 volunteers showed up at over 400 projects in support of 75 different nonprofits and schools. The week culminated on the King Holiday alongside the College Football Playoff National Championship and the start of a new presidential administration. Here’s a look back at some of the highlighted projects from the historic, 2025 MLK Days of Service.
Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center and Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, joined Hands On Atlanta and volunteers in our warehouse for a hygiene pack and to paint a mural on Friday, Jan. 17.
It’s Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 and it’s snowing in Atlanta, GA.
It was just 10 days ago when 5-6 inches of perfect packing snow painted the city. Snowmen came alive across neighborhoods, kids (and let’s face it - grown adults, myself included) were sledding down the streets and literally skiing in Piedmont Park, and the start of the 2025 MLK Days of Service was put on hold.
The good news is the snow didn’t last for long, and what came next was one of the biggest, most impactful stretches of service in our 35 years. Together, 5,000 volunteers showed up at over 400 projects in support of 75 different nonprofits and schools. The week culminated on the King Holiday alongside the College Football Playoff National Championship (did you see us on ESPN?) and the start of a new presidential administration.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlighted projects from the historic, 2025 MLK Days of Service.
Food Works at 970 Jefferson
150 Volunteers from Coca-Cola, Home Depot, OneDigital, Salesforce and Google Fiber joined Hands On Atlanta, Urban Recipe and Food Well Alliance at our shared warehouse space for a huge meal pack.
Cargill Atlanta Grand Opening Meals4Kids Pack
125 Volunteers from Cargill learned about the challenges of food insecurity in metro Atlanta, packed 1,000 meal kits (3,000+ meals) for students in Hands On Atlanta partner Title 1 schools.
Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens were both in attendance to help welcome Cargill to Atlanta.
Hygiene Helpers at 970 Jefferson
100 Volunteers from Coca-Cola & Fiserv packed 1,000 Hygiene Care Kits, with essential items and warm weather gear that was donated to the Old Fourth Ward community through Ebenezer Baptist and Restoring One’s Hope.
We were joined by special guests Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center and Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps.
Latin American Association Food Drive
Close to 50 volunteers from The Home Depot and 11Alive packed and distributed meals to more than 200 families.
We were joined by the 11Alive news team, where meteorologist Melissa Nord reported live throughout the morning.
11th Annual MLK Sunday Supper presented by Coca-Cola
300 of Atlanta’s most influential community, civic and corporate leaders joined Hands On Atlanta at the Atlanta History Center for an evening of dialogue and discourse on environmental justice.
Presenters included Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, Nathanial Smith, founder and CEO of Partnership for Southern Equity, Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Atlanta, Mindy Goldstein Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at Emory University and Cheryl Preheim, morning anchor at 11Alive.
Entertainment was provided by an incredible premiere of the Theatrical Outfit’s upcoming hip hop musical, Young John Lewis.
View the program, the list of table facilitators, our discussion guide and more here.
Hope Hill Elementary Championship Drive
200 Volunteers from The College Football Playoff Foundation packed 1,000 STEAM Kits, 1,000 Meal Kits and 100 Teacher Support Kits at Hope Hill Elementary School.
Special guests included all 50 “Teacher of the Year” Award winners, 40 Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members and members of the AT&T team who presented Hope Hill Elementary with a surprise donation!
Meals4Kids Pack with Delta Air Lines
150 Volunteers from Delta Air Lines packed 2,000 Meal Kits (5,000 meals) that were donated donated to Hands On Atlanta partner Title 1 schools.
With all that impact, there are still more ways to celebrate Dr. King. Morehouse College has a series of events taking place throughout the month. Learn more and get involved here.
Here’s a look at some scenes of service from around the city.
Thank you to our sponsors
Atlanta Rallies for 2025 MLK Days of Service with 400+ Volunteer Projects
Hands On Atlanta to celebrate the MLK Days of Service by engaging 5,000 volunteers to support over 50 nonprofits
ATLANTA, GA: Hands On Atlanta will lead 10 days of service from January 10-20, featuring over 400 volunteer projects supporting more than 75 nonprofits and schools. The effort will culminate on the 2025 King Holiday, aiming to engage over 5,000 people in service, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through meaningful action and community impact.
“MLK Day is a powerful reminder that service can bring people together and create lasting change in our community,” said Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta. “Atlanta’s spirit of service runs deep, and we’re proud to work alongside our incredible partners and sponsors to honor Dr. King’s legacy by turning reflection into action.”
The 2025 Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service are presented by Delta Air Lines and The Coca-Cola Company with 30 other supporting sponsors including AmeriCorps, The College Football Playoff Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, Cargill, and Ben and Jerry’s.
“Delta is proud to be presenting sponsor of the 2025 MLK Days of Service with Hands On Atlanta, offering hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout the week as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our commitments to community, equity, and social impact underscore our mission to connect and reflect the world by serving others. On MLK Day, 150 Delta volunteers will pack meal kits to serve four Atlanta Public Schools for a day on, not a day off," said Amal Yusuf, General Manager-ACS for Delta Air Lines and Board member for Hands On Atlanta.
Featured events, ideal for coverage:
Jan. 16 - Hands On Atlanta welcomes Cargill to their new office in Atlanta with a large-scale meal pack to benefit students in Title 1 schools
Jan. 17 – Hands On Atlanta will host a hygiene kit pack for Ebenezer Baptist Church and Restoring One’s Hope from their warehouse at 970 Jefferson St. Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps and Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center will be in attendance
Jan. 19 - 11th Annual MLK Sunday Supper presented by Coca-Cola will convene 300 community, corporate and civic leaders at the Atlanta History Center to discuss environmental justice. The event will feature Rodney Bullard from The Same House, Nathanial Smith from the Partnership for Southern Equity, Chandra Farley, Atlanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Mindy Goldstein, Director of the Turner Environmental Law Clinic ~ Director of the Environmental Law Program at Emory University
On the King Holiday, Jan. 20 - 200 volunteers from the College Football Playoff Foundation will pack meals and STEAM kits at Hope Hill Elementary and another 150 volunteers from Delta Air Lines will pack meals for students in Title 1 schools
“The Coca-Cola Company is proud to join Hands On Atlanta for the 11th Annual MLK Sunday Supper. We’re honored to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy as we engage with civic, corporate and community leaders on meaningful ways to support the communities we serve.” said Alba Baylin, Vice President, Stakeholder and Social Impact Management at The Coca-Cola Company North America.
There is still a great need for community volunteers to “take the day on.” To get involved and find a project to join or for more information on special events from collaborative partners at The King Center, Atlanta History Center, and Morehouse College visit our website at mlkatl.org or handsonatlanta.org
LASTING IMPACT: MLK DAY 2024, 3 MONTHS LATER
The Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service serve as a day ON to give back and create equitable change across Atlanta, and this year helped to push us forward in our mission to mobilize the Atlanta community to tackle our city’s most pressing needs!
Throughout January 11-15, 2024, over 3,000 volunteers supported 50 nonprofits. We recently caught up with a few partners (Atlanta BeltLine, Hope Hill Elementary, and Wren’s Nest) to talk about the impact MLK Days of Service 2024 provided for them.
Keep reading to find out what happens after the buzz and excitement of the King holiday slows and these organizations get back to supporting their communities.
The Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service serve as a day ON to give back and create equitable change across Atlanta, and this year helped to push us forward in our mission to mobilize the Atlanta community to tackle our city’s most pressing needs!
Throughout January 11-15, 2024, over 3,000 volunteers supported 50 nonprofits. We recently caught up with a few partners (Atlanta BeltLine, Hope Hill Elementary, and Wren’s Nest) to talk about the impact MLK Days of Service 2024 provided for them.
Keep reading to find out what happens after the buzz and excitement of the King holiday slows and these organizations get back to supporting their communities.
WREN’S NEST BEAUTIFICATION
Wren’s nest is a cultural center, house museum, and National Historic Landmark in Atlanta's West End neighborhood. It is also the home of author and journalist Joel Chandler Harris. Their mission is to preserve storytelling traditions, cultivate the next generation of readers and writers, and celebrating self-expression.
“This project made an incredible difference and helped us complete projects that have been sitting on our to do list for a very long time. Our space is nicer for our staff and guests, and we now have more time to focus on other priority projects. Thank you, Hands On Atlanta! “ ”
Wren’s nest set a goal to beautify their campus and organize the museum’s basement. Volunteers helped build benches and a new shed, landscape, install shelving and execute a neighborhood cleanup. With over 150 volunteers from the community, Salesforce, Fiserv, ADP, Alston & Bird, and our AmeriCorps members engaged they were able to reach their goal.
HOPE HILL ELEMENTARY
Hope Hill Elementary is located in the center of a historical community and adjacent to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change. The school’s namesake is Dr. John Hope, who was the first African-American President of Atlanta University and Morehouse College. Their vision is to empower all scholars to cultivate a sense of wonder and to investigate how the universe works, while applying experiential solutions to real world problems.
Their goal was to have the opportunity for their treehouse to be repaired and fixed for students, and for the volunteers to engage with students. 30 volunteers from Analytic Vision spent their day at Hope Hill making a difference.
“Hands on Atlanta was flexible and able to organize the event around the rain, and they also focused on the needs of the school.”
Through this project they have seen an increase in repeat volunteers, students served, and time for staff to focus on other initiatives.
ATLANTA BELTLINE
The Atlanta BeltLine is a network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, and affordable housing along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor. Their mission is to build a more equitable and inclusive Atlanta and engaging partners by delivering transformative public infrastructure that enhances mobility, fosters culture, and improves connections to economic opportunity.
Through MLK Days of Service, 40 volunteers served at the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail removing litter and junk in two hours from a two-mile segment of the trail.
“Through our collaboration, the BeltLine has seen an increased number of volunteers, and impact made in the community. Going forward to our next MLK Day the BeltLine would like to have more site locations and lead volunteers to continue making a difference.” ”
Through our collaborative efforts of the 2024 MLK Days of Service, our partners have increased their number of volunteers, repeat volunteers, clients served, and overall are on path to more equity across the city.
If your company is interested in creating this kind of lasting impact in our community, we’d love to help! Reach out to our corporate impact team today!
thank you to all of our incredible sponsors
Atlanta Influences Everything - Looking back at the 2024 MLK Days of Service
MLK Day is special no matter where you are, but here in Atlanta, it just means more.
Channeling the mantra of our friends at Atlanta Influences Everything, for the 2024 MLK Days of Service, presented by Delta Air Lines, Hands On Atlanta set out to showcase the good we can create by coming together to help build Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” We put the spotlight on our community of do-gooders and changemakers and challenged Atlanta to help us tackle our city’s most pressing needs. More than 3,000 volunteers stepped up to serve over January 11-15, 2024. These volunteers braved cold temps to support 50 nonprofits and schools across metro Atlanta.
Here’s a look back at some of the projects and lasting impact they created:
MLK Day is special no matter where you are, but here in Atlanta, it just means more.
Channeling the mantra of our friends at Atlanta Influences Everything, for the 2024 MLK Days of Service, presented by Delta Air Lines, Hands On Atlanta set out to showcase the good we can create by coming together to help build Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” We put the spotlight on our community of do-gooders and changemakers and challenged Atlanta to help us tackle our city’s most pressing needs. More than 3,000 volunteers stepped up to serve over January 11-15, 2024. These volunteers braved cold temps to support 50 nonprofits and schools across metro Atlanta.
Here’s a look back at some of the projects and lasting impact they created:
Monday, January 15
MEALS4KIDS MEAL PACK
The U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, and newly appointed CEO of Points of Light, Jennifer Sirangelo joined 175 volunteers from Delta Air Lines at Wild Heaven Brewery to pack over 3,000 meals for students at Love T. Nolan Elementary, Usher Collier Elementary, and Scott Elementary. In addition to hard work and impact, 2024 Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellow, Jason Thomas, was presented with the Daily Point of Light Award, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to volunteering and service.
Friday, January 12
970 JEFFERSON TAKEOVER
The Hands On Atlanta warehouse at 970 Jefferson St. (home of the original Atlanta Community Food Bank) is a perfect place to fight food insecurity and support our neighbors in need! The built in community of nonprofits opened their doors to 125 volunteers from The Home Depot, Kilpatrick, Bennett Thrasher, and Deloitte for a morning of good! Volunteers packed 400 hygiene kits that were distributed Saturday morning through Ebenezer Baptist Church, to the Old Fourth Ward community near the historic church.
Thursday, January 11
LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION MURAL AND RENOVATION
Volunteers from the Home Depot and OneDigital helped kick-off our MLK Days of Service by painting an awesome mural, designed by XXX and executing various tasks throughout the building. They painted bathrooms, renovated the staff room, put together new furniture, and a built a big storage to complete the renovations. But wait, there’s more! Volunteers from 5 projects over the 5 days painted a “traveling mural” of 12x12 canvases that came together for a 2nd large mural to be displayed at the Latin American Association offices!
WREN’S NEST BEAUTIFICATION
Monday, January 15
Volunteers from the community, Salesforce, Fiserv, ADP, Alston & Bird, and 48 members of our AmeriCorps engaged in a variety of projects to help the Wren’s Nest continue their mission of preserving storytelling traditions, cultivating the next generation of readers and writers, and celebrating self-expression. Together, they built benches, landscaped, built a new shed, installed shelving and executed a neighborhood cleanup.
Sunday, January 14
10TH ANNUAL MLK SUNDAY SUPPER
300 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta gathered for an intimate, vulnerable, and thought-provoking evening at the 2024 MLK Sunday Supper presented by Coca-Cola. 11Alive’s, Cheryl Preheim emceed the night, moderating a panel on the night’s theme of “Challenging the Status Quo”. The panel featured Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, founder, The Village Market, Bem Joiner, co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything and Dr. Eloisa Klmentich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. The main course for the evening were guided table conversations, led by 35 of Atlanta changemakers. After the conversations concluded, Soul Food Cypher performed a “rap up” before Jay Bailey, President and CEO at Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs closed the evening as our challenge speaker.
You can click here to host your own meaningful conversation on Challenging the Status Quo thanks to our friends at Inclusivv.
Here are some more highlighted moments:
thank you to all of our incredible sponsors
5 Days of Building Dr. King's "Beloved Community"
Thousands of volunteers helped Hands On Atlanta and over 50 of our nonprofit and school partners improve food security and educational equity for families and students, improved the environment and sustainability across metro Atlanta and so much more throughout the 8 days in September - culminating on Sept. 27, 2022, Arthur Blank's 80th birthday.
From January 12-16, 2023, Hands On Atlanta convened over 2,000 volunteers to serve 5,000 hours in support more than 40 nonprofits and schools as part of the 2023 MLK Days of Service!
With the generous support of presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, volunteers joined more than 100 service projects and events that had a focus on improving educational and housing equity, food security, and the environment.
Check out some of our highlighted projects and events below and don’t forget to share your MLK Days of Service experience with us on our social channels, tagging #mlkatl.
Mega Hope Kit Pack
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023
We kicked off our 2023 MLK Days of Service from our warehouse at 970 Jefferson with our friends and partners at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Hope Atlanta, Restoring One’s Hope, and MLK Resource Collaborative!
150 Volunteers from OneDigital, Kilpatrick Townsend, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Change Healthcare and the Atlanta Braves Foundation packed over 2,000 Hygiene Kits, Snack Pack Kits, and Welcome Home Kits with donated items from Brawny, Dixie and Angel Soft!
“It was great event and was great to collaborate with other organizations such as Home Depot. Snapper was a great supervisor and really enjoyed being on his team! ”
Meals4Kids Meal Pack
Friday, Jan. 13, 2023
Food insecure households are often challenged to access nourishing, healthy meals while also covering housing costs on a limited budget.
For Day 2 of our MLK Days of Service, 75 volunteers from Deloitte, the Braves Foundation and Towerpoint joined our partners at Urban Recipe to pack 1,000+ meals (600 meal bags and another 110 food boxes) for families in need across metro Atlanta.
“Very efficient! I was amazed at how much we got done in the amount of time!”
Discovery + House Proud
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023
We celebrated day 3 on a cold and windy Saturday morning with a couple of service projects and a lot of fun!
50 volunteers from US Bank/Elavon and Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP joined our Discovery program at Parklane Elementary for an educational and engaging morning with students. Georgia Power brought their Learning Power STEAM Truck and volunteers to Belmont Hills Elementary!
We then headed over to the Atlanta Community Toolbank, home of House Proud, where volunteers from Target cleaned and organized their warehouse, painted/branded tools and even built a storage shed!
Photo by Steve Swieter, www.swieterimage.com
9th Annual MLK Sunday Supper
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023
Thanks to our presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, 150 corporate and community leaders joined us around the table for an authentic conversation about housing equity at the National Center for Civil & Human Rights.
Featured speakers included Mayor Andre Dickens, Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, and a panel including Renee Lewis Glover and Principal Jovita Wallace, moderated by 11Alive’s Cheryl Preheim.
In partnership with our friends at 11Alive, the evening will air as part of a segment on affordable housing Jan. 21 and 22..
“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children.” That door to opportunity is home ownership — which, for most Americans, is their single most valuable asset.””
Truly Living Well Farm Beautification
Monday, Jan. 16, 2023
Celebrating the King Holiday with our 5th and final day of our 2023 MLK Days of Service at Truly Living Well - an agricultural hub for the West Atlanta community.
400+ volunteers from The Home Depot Foundation, Salesforce, Microsoft, Clark Atlanta University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, AmeriCorps, Most Valuable Kids and Breakthrough Atlanta joined Hands On Atlanta and our partners at Westside Future Fund to protect the farm over winter and into the spring months.
“I have volunteered in various projects for more than 40 years and I have never felt so appreciated. The event was organized, it was fun, it was purposeful. Well done, Hands On Atlanta.”
More ways to celebrate the 2023 MLK Days of Service:
“Great service project - liked that the shift was manageable, the people at Books for Africa were very nice, able to accommodate a large group, and I’ll definitely be back. ”
“Great cause that I’d like to support more in the future. Very relaxing and informative. The time flew by. I can definitely work with this organization again. ”
On Thursday, Jan. 12, volunteers from Kia and the community joined a fun, virtual project from, where they wrote jokes and letters of encouragement to students in our partner schools. The jokes and notes will be placed in their Meals4Kids meal bags that will be sent when school is on break!
We’re collecting jokes and notes through Jan. 21, 2023. Sign up now and get everything you need to join from home.
In partnership with Inclusivv and as part of our MLK Sunday Supper call to action, volunteers stepped up to host their own “conversation that matters” about equitable housing on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
You can find a conversation to join or host your own here!
Morehouse College hosted their Bonner Office of Community Service Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 16 as part of their King Day Commemoration, but they have a ton of events you can join, happening throughout January.
Explore all of their events and join them here.
Atlanta Public Schools challenged thousands of their students, families and staff to “take the day on” and join a family friendly volunteer project on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.
You can join the challenge all January long by serving with one of these projects appropriate for kids 14+.
Visit www.mlkatl.org for more information and to explore all of the MLK Days of Service projects and events happening throughout January.
The Art of Moving Forward | A look back at the 2022 MLK Days of Service
Dr. King once said, “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
It’s relentless forward motion, and as we all know, trying to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs is never easy. During the 2022 Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service, some of us went from flying to crawling in the matter of a few hours.
Dr. King once said, “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
It’s relentless forward motion, and as we all know, trying to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs is never easy. During the 2022 Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, some of us went from flying to crawling in the matter of a few hours. With a mix of Covid concerns and a winter storm, projects and events that took months to plan were flipped on their head. But Atlanta, you kept moving forward. It took some old fashioned hard work, determination, quick thinking, patience, a little bit of luck and a pure passion to help build Dr. King’s “Beloved Community” that made this year’s King Holiday so meaningful. It’s surely the kind of thing we’ll be talking about for year’s to come.
Together, 1,500 volunteers and participants attended over 200 volunteer projects and events, supporting 60 nonprofits and schools. In addition, thousands of engaged citizens visited the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the King Center and the Atlanta History Center to learn about Dr. King’s life and legacy and to share their own personal experiences with each other. Morehouse College will continue their King Holiday programming throughout the month.
Check out some of our highlighted projects and events below and don’t forget to share your MLK Days of Service experience with us on our social channels, tagging #mlkatl22.
8th annual mlk Sunday Supper
On Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, close to 200 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta united, virtually, for our 8th annual MLK Sunday Supper presented by The Coca-Cola Company. This year’s event provided guests an intimate, vulnerable, and thought-provoking experience, with guided conversations about What We Teach Our Kids About Race.
The evening featured special guests Brandon Fleming, founder and CEO of the Harvard Diversity Project and Dr. Beverly Tatum, president emerita at Spelman College, as well as 30 Atlanta changemakers as breakout facilitators. Hosted by 11Alive’s Cheryl Preheim, the evening also including moving performances (above) from spoken word poet Ashlee Haze and sensory artist Siana Altiise.
Heart is full, mind is focused after engaging in the @HandsOnAtlanta #MLKATL22 #SundaySupper - Joined with many Atlantans to talk about our experiences as children in learning about race. My big take away - being a courageous parent for Bleu as it relates to race. pic.twitter.com/iTivnzUrmi
— Adrienne Annice 🍑🫐 (@LadyA08) January 17, 2022
Joining community leaders as a facilitator for @HandsOnAtlanta #MLKSundaySupper for a conversation about engaging our kids on the topic of race. As a new father, it’s important that we lean into these uncomfortable conversations — our silence itself, is a (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ArborRYmxW
— Phil Olaleye (@PhilForGeorgia) January 16, 2022
SERVICE WITH SCALES AT Disco’S POP-UP
Disco, our virtual Saturday enrichment program, had some special guests for our in-person pop-up event on Saturday, Jan. 15! Students from our partners schools got hands on with some critters like snakes, spiders, and even a baby hedgehog! Volunteers from NCR and our AmeriCorps team helped ensure the students (and the animals) had a great atmosphere for learning and discovery.
FEEDING NEIGHBORS WITH EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH
Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a sponsor of the 2022 MLK Days of Service hosted by @handsonatlanta, we joined colleagues across the Blank Family of Businesses to pack meal kits.
— Arthur Blank Foundation (@BlankFoundation) January 17, 2022
We hope you’ll join us in Dr. King’s call to service. pic.twitter.com/9ES0dqFrrb
There was no better place to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. than at his home at Ebenezer Baptist Church. In partnership with the Ben Crump Single Parents in Need Feeding Initiative and the hard work of volunteers from the surrounding community and from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, 1,000 meal bags were packed! Volunteers also wrote letters of encouragement that went in each bag of food. The meal bags were then distributed on Dr. King’s birthday, Saturday, Jan. 15.
URBAN FOREST RESTORATION WITH WAWA
So proud of my mentee, Solomon Seaborn, for this well-deserved honor! His ❤️ for service was evident even as our @KIPPWAYSAcademy 6th grader 18 years ago! As a @HandsOnAtlanta board member, I love that we are celebrating men and women who lift up their communities!@BTCHiewet https://t.co/KOSLVd0lRk
— President/CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (@BGCMA_CEO) January 17, 2022
Volunteers (including Senator Jon Ossoff pictured above with members of our AmeriCorps team) braved the elements and worked hard to provide actions to maintain stewardship, history, and beautification, as a “Beloved Community” with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA). Volunteers cleared trail paths, marked trails, spread mulch, removed limbs and invasive plants, and more at their Outdoor Activity Center in the historic Oakland City neighborhood.
In addition to this huge, hard working day of service. Hands On Atlanta Civic Leader and dedicated WAWA volunteer, Solomon Seaborn received the January, 17 2022 Points of Light, Daily Point of Light Award.
Learn more about Solomon’s story!
lEARNING IN COLOR MURAL AT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Thank you @HandsOnAtlanta for planning so many great volunteer projects this weekend. We made today a day ON, not a day OFF at the International Community School, sorting books in the library. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/L3Z5fKqMgx
— Rep. Betsy Holland, HD54 (@BetsyforGeorgia) January 17, 2022
It was all smiles and lots of fun at the International Community School, (an educational haven for refugee students from all over the world) where volunteers from the community and WarnerMedia teamed up to paint and beautify the school with a mural from Learning in Color! The mural represents the core values that the school stands for and the core values that Dr. King dedicated his life for; equity, inclusion, diversity and acceptance of all cultures and ethnicities. The project added aesthetic value and cultural significance to International Community School and as you can see in the video above, the kids love it!
Office Meal Pack
Spent #mlkday volunteering with Hands on Atlanta to help school kids affected by food insecurity. No one should go hungry in a first world/developed nation. pic.twitter.com/2uWAYklc9Z
— Tyler Lee (@tylercampaigner) January 17, 2022
Over at the Hands On Atlanta office, 50 highly motivated and energetic volunteers from Coca-Cola, MAPP, Towerpoint and our AmeriCorps team spent MLK Day packing 800 meal bags for students at Love T. Nolan Elementary School! In addition to packing meals, volunteers also wrote notes of encouragement for the kids, and placed finished kits in boxes to deliver to the school later this week.
Beautification at InCommunity
The volunteers that served at InCommunity had a big job on their hands, to improve a day program center that provides educational, creative, and social opportunities for up to 55 adults with disabilities. Community volunteers revitalized the center with tasks like raking leaves, clearing branches, painting, decorating and organizing classroom spaces.
VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
EDUCATION EQUITY With DR. CHANIKA PERRY
Throughout our MLK Days of Service, participants from NCR, KaVo Kerr and American Tower spent their lunch hour virtually with Hands On Atlanta's resident education expert, Director of Education Programs, Dr. Chanika Perry, to learn more about education inequities in our country. After a brief issue education presentation and thought starters, attendees participated in a facilitated, curated discussion and thought sharing on how to build a more equitable future for the next generation.
FOOD SECURITY WITH ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
Participants from CRH Americas, Change Healthcare, HOK, Norfolk Southern, OneDigital, and NCR virtually came together for a presentation from Hands On Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Food Bank to learn more about Atlanta's fight against food insecurity. The attendees joined an interactive simulation that put themselves in the shoes of others to experience the realities of food insecurity and economic life choices that need to be made daily. Guests left empowered with resources to advocate and participate in the fight against hunger.
SHARE YOUR MLK DAY EXPERIENCE
Now that you’ve read some of the highlighted moments and projects of our MLK Days of Service, we’d love to know how you celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. King. Share your activity or reflection points with us across our social channels by following @handsonatlanta and using the hashtag #mlkatl22.
If you’re feeling inspired to get involved, there are still several MLK Day related activities throughout the rest of the month. Hop over to mlkatl.org for more info and to find an opportunity to engage.
Atlanta unites around virtual projects and social justice for the 2021 MLK Days of Service
From Jan. 14-18, 2021, 1,500 people from Atlanta to India (yes, India) engaged in our MLK Days of Service, presented by The Home Depot. More than 30 nonprofits and 30 companies joined the action, hosting or supporting volunteers at 150 in-person and virtual projects and events. Taking the day (and their computers) ON, volunteers rallied behind a unifying message of helping to build Dr. King’s Beloved Community.
From Jan. 14-18, 2021, 1,500 people from Atlanta to India (yes, India) engaged in our MLK Days of Service, presented by The Home Depot. More than 30 nonprofits and 30 companies joined the action, hosting or supporting volunteers at 150 in-person and virtual projects and events. Taking the day (and their computers) ON, volunteers rallied behind a unifying message of helping to build Dr. King’s Beloved Community.
Explore some of the highlighted projects, events and impact below.
Featured Virtual Events
7th Annual MLK Sunday Supper
On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, close to 300 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta joined our virtual MLK Sunday Supper, presented by Coca-Cola. Hosted by 11Alive’s Cheryl Preheim, the evening addressed the Fierce Urgency of Now. With appearances by DeRay McKesson, Stacey Abrams and conversations around racial equity, solutions to systemic problems and moving performances from award-winning poet Alysia Nicole Harris and students in the Atlanta Music Project, it was an evening to remember.
“This is Atlanta.”
“CHILLS, That was incredible and this as a truly inspirational event and beautiful way to start the year.”
Food Equity Lunch & Learn
40 attendees from The Home Depot spent about an hour and a half with Hands On Atlanta to learn more about food inequities in our country. Jon West, VP of Partner Relations led an educational presentation that was followed by curated discussions in small groups, sharing how to build a more equitable future for the next generation.
Hands On Atlanta DISCO
Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members and Civic Fellows handed out books, snack bags, building kits, blankets and gloves, stuffed animals and arts & crafts kits to 50 students in our DISCO program.
Letter writing to metro Atlanta Healthcare workers
Volunteers from Coca-Cola, NCR, ADP and Kia rallied together to write over 600 letters of thanks and encouragement to our healthcare heroes!
Advice Mob with Career Villageworkers
Close to 100 volunteers from NCR and CNA answered 150 questions on college and career readiness on CareerVillage.org.
“Use Your Voice Art Project”
This program was designed to give young scholars a chance to share their thoughts and feelings about the protests and violence from this passed summer through art. Additionally, the process gave students an opportunity, empowering them to talk about ways to make their voices heard through non-violent actions, using Dr. King’s philosophy. Alston and Bird created this unique project in partnership with Andrew P. Stewart Center, Southern Center for Human Rights and UPS.
Featured In-person Projects
Meal Pack and Drive Through Distribution at Ebenezer Baptist Church
Volunteers from OneDigital, Chick-Fil-A, The Home Depot and the community bundled up and braved the cold to pack over 1200 bags of food, make 57 fleece blankets and distribute the items to 400 families in need! Volunteers were joined by Assistant Pastor of Outreach & Young Adult Ministries, Reverend Bronson Elliott Woods and Georgia’s 58th District Rep., Park Cannon for the full-day of service.
Learning in Color Mural
Volunteers from Coca-Cola and the Atlanta community came out to help Learning in Color paint a mural capturing the memories of Atlanta Public High School's graduating class of 2020.
Chastain Park Beautification
Over 40 volunteers from Target came together to plant 2000 daffodils, clear tons of debris and open vistas for all to enjoy!
Even more impact
900+ hours of civic engagement around racial equity in America
700+ letters of appreciation were written to metro Atlanta healthcare workers
300+ letters of encouragement were written to seniors at A.G. Rhodes
550 letters of encouragement were written to students across metro Atlanta
35 stories were recorded and virtually played for kids in the Pajama Program
20 wellness calls were placed to seniors living in NPU-S neighborhoods
7 parks and urban gardens were beautified and improved
celebrate the king holiday
If you didn’t get a chance to join us for our MLK Days of Service, don’t worry, you still have time to join these meaningful projects and events from our community partners throughout January!
We Share The Dream: King's Beloved Community
Join The National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a conversation examining King’s Beloved Community and how the concept of our collective responsibility to the struggles of others is informing modern social justice movements.
Where Do We Go From Here? Facing 2021 and Beyond.
Join Morehouse College for a webinar where panelists will discuss systemic racism, poverty, militarism, and other forms of injustice in our times.
Join a live screening of “Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence” and a post-film conversation with filmmaker Hal Jacobs, Charles Black and Dr. Vicki Crawford.
Do Something Good
Pitch in at Piedmont Park, have fun on Truly Living Well’s urban farm, write thank you letters to our healthcare heroes - there are all kinds of in-person and virtual ways you can help build the Beloved Community throughout January.