Warm-Up, DC: A Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

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Meridian International Center and its Global Service Leaders (GSL) initiative will honor the legacy and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service, held both in the Washington, DC community and around the world, addressing Dr. King’s question and challenge, "What are you doing for others?"

In Washington, DC on MLK Day (January 20, 2014), Meridian’s GSL will lead a progressive service project to Warm Up, DC. In an effort to share resources with those hit hardest by the winter weather, volunteers will collect, donate, and share items to be distributed by Martha’s Table, which offers education, nutrition, clothing, and family support programs that prepare young people, from infancy through adulthood, for a promising future. As part of this half-day event, there will be "pop-up" service projects occurring along the U Street corridor, between 14 th and 16 th Streets, NW, as outlined below.*

Service Day Kick-off and 2 nd Annual Knit-in

9:30am-11:30am

Busboys and Poets - 2021 14th St, NW

The 2014 Warm Up, DC Day of Service will be officially kicked off at Busboys and Poets with remarks by Founder, Andy Shallal. With civic-minded poetry and performances as a fitting back-drop at this community institution, participants for the "knit-in"--beginners welcome!--will create hats, scarves and gloves to be donated to Martha’s Table upon completion.

MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab

10:00am-3:00pm

Meridian’s White-Meyer House - 1624 Crescent Place, NW

Join DC Social Innovation Project, IMPACT, and Taproot Foundation DC for MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab, which will bring together skilled volunteers, community members and local organizations for a day of impact through pro bono service. Community members may either have an idea for a new program or be looking to improve an existing community program. To apply for assistance with marketing, HR, IT, or strategy, among others, or to sign up as a skilled volunteer--please complete this form.

Super Heroes Writing Workshop

11:30am-1:30pm

Center for Community Change - 1536 U St, NW

A creative writing workshop for children and teens will be offered at the Center for Community Change. These bright young voices will have the opportunity to highlight those heroes--from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Nelson Mandela--who inspire them and explore the reasons why. Essays and messages about heroes from around the world, as submitted by members of Meridian’s Global Service Leaders community from over 100 countries, will be shared over hot chocolate and cookies.

Bicycle Collection

12:00pm-3:00pm

Meridian International Center - 1624 Crescent Place, NW (Parking Lot)

Put your old, unused bicycle (or bike parts) to good use and help someone get to work and school in 2014--and beyond. Working with partners in every corner of the globe, Bikes for the World collects, reconditions, and ships bicycles to distribute to those in need of this viable transportation option. Please note a $10 donation per bike is suggested to defray the cost of shipping overseas.

Hero-Making Extravaganza

1:30pm-2:30pm

Meridian’s White-Meyer House (Dining Room) - 1624 Crescent Place, NW

Join other volunteers to "Build your own hero!" (sandwich, that is). In support of Martha’s Table emergency food services and McKenna’s Wagon, superhero strength is needed to assemble sandwiches for distribution to DC’s homeless.

Service Day Closing Ceremony

3:00pm

Meridian’s White-Meyer House - 1624 Crescent Place, NW Join your fellow volunteers in a hot chocolate toast after a successful day of service.

DONATION DESTINATIONS

Throughout the day, participating neighborhood businesses and organizations will serve as drop-off destinations for your donated items, to benefit Martha’s Table. These include:

Cake Love

1506 U Street, NW

9:30am-3:00pm

Donations accepted: Gently used sweaters and coats Karmic Bonus: Get a mini-cupcake with donation.

City First Bank of DC

1432 U Street, NW

Donation hours/dates: Monday, January 13th- Friday, January 17th

Donations accepted: Gently used gloves, hats, and scarves

G by Mike Isabella

2201 14th Street, NW

11:00am-3:00pm

Donations accepted: Canned good items. Click here for Martha’s Table’s Food Program Wish List. Karmic Bonus: Get a free fountain soda and bag of chips with sandwich purchase.

Primp Beauty Bar

1515 U Street, NW

10:30am-3:00pm

Donations accepted: Toiletry items.

Twice As Warm

1624 Crescent Place, NW (at Meridian’s White-Meyer House)

12:00pm-3:00pm

Karmic Bonus: Wear One, Give One. Buy a hat, gloves or scarf and Twice As Warm will match your purchase with a corresponding donation to Martha’s Table.*Exact timing subject to change.