EVENTS CELEBRATING MLK DAY
Events are planned throughout San Diego County to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The events range from celebrating the legacy of King to serving the community as a tribute to his work. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is officially observed on Monday, Jan. 17, this year (King’s birthday is Jan. 15), but a number of events are on other days as well. King’s birthday was designated a federal holiday in 1983. In 1994, Congress marked the holiday as a national day of service led by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Some events have been canceled and others have been changed from in person to virtual because of the rise in COVID-19 cases. Double-check the event website for updates.
COUNTYWIDE
MLK Day of Service: Hands on San Diego hosts community service events Monday throughout San Diego County. Visit handsonsandiego.org/mlkday.
EL CAJON
MLK Day of Service at Grossmont College: As part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Grossmont College will host events Tuesday on campus, 8800 Grossmont College Drive.
• Paperback books will be collected for donation to the Las Colinas Detention Facility in Santee. Bins will be at the Assessment Center in Building 10, the Career Center in Building 60, and in the library in Building 70. Email heriberto.vasquez@gcccd.edu.
• Join students, faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Quad to write motivational letters to female inmates at Las Colinas. Email heriberto.vasquez@gcccd.edu.
• A drive-thru food distribution for the campus community is planned with the San Diego Food Bank from noon to 3 p.m. in parking lot 1. Volunteers can sign up at bit.ly/3neIJ7x.
ENCINITAS
MLK Day of Service for hunger relief: Healthy Day Partners is looking for volunteers from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Jan. 24 and 31 to package Grab & Grow Gardens as part of kits distributed through hunger relief agencies to help low-income, food insecure, and those hit hardest by the pandemic learn how to grow their own food. Visit handsonsandiego.org/mlkday.
ESCONDIDO
MLK Community Day of Service: Volunteer service event is from 9 a.m. to noon today at Washington Park, 501 N. Rose St. Participants work together to remove litter and green waste from 2 miles of a community trail. Supplies are provided. Visit volunteer.escondido.org.
Education COMPACT cleanup: The Escondido Education COMPACT hosts a MLK Day of Service volunteer cleanup from 10
a.m. to noon Monday at Dixon Lake Park. Call (760) 839-4515. OCEANSIDE
MLK Community Prayer Breakfast: The North San Diego County NAACP’s annual event is set for 9 a.m. Monday at the Oceanside El Corazon Senior Center. Tickets are $20 to $500 (table of 10) at bit.ly/3fiJw37. People can also view by Zoom.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: 9 a.m. to noon today at various sites around North County. Volunteers meet at 8 a.m. at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive. Sign up at csusm.edu/ slce/civicengagement/mlkdayofservice/index.html.
MLK Day of Service and story stroll: In partnership with MiraCosta College, the library bus, Adelante, will offer story stroll, games, snacks and crafts from 10 a.m. to noon today at John Landes Community Center and Park, 2855 Cedar Road. Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us/cals or call (760) 435-5600.
SAN DIEGO
34th All Peoples Celebration: The virtual event hosted by Alliance San Diego is from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday with the theme “Love + Power.” Highlights include performances and keynote speaker Rebecca Cokley. Registration: $45. Visit alliancesd.org/all-peoples-celebration.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: South Coast Air Quality Management District hosts the ninth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today. The hybrid luncheon will be held via Zoom. This year’s celebration, “Living, Dreaming, Believing in a Clean Air Future,” focuses on partnering with communities to address air pollution and inequalities of environmental justice. Visit bit.ly/3rgKjHc. 33rd annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration: The family festival is set for noon to 5 p.m. Monday at the WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd. in Balboa Park. Highlights include live music, multicultural performances, African dance, Native American blessing, headliner Pato Banton and guest speakers along with vegan food and an outdoor cultural arts and craft marketplace. If the event is canceled because of COVID-19 mandates, it is slated to be presented virtually. Visit worldbeatcenter.org.
CANCELED EVENTS:
USS Midway Museum Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee’s ninth annual Luncheon Celebration of the Birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Harbor Drive.
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration and Sportsfest with annual Neighborhood Parade.