Montgomery County Honors Martin Luther King Jr. with Day of Service (PHOTOS)

It’s a day on and not a day off to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.

Montgomery County will be hosting its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 19 where residents will have several opportunities to volunteer on family-friend service projects that are scheduled to take place throughout the county.

“It’s a way for people to get out and do something and learn more about ongoing services. It’s also a great way for families to do things together,” said Molly Callaway, director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Center.

Callaway said people of all ages can help tie paracord bracelets for members of the military, bag lunches for county shelters, assemble care kits for foster children, among other things.

To participate county residents can visit Seneca Creek Community Church at 13 Firstfield Rd. in Gaithersburg, from 9 to 11 a.m.; Silver Spring Civic Building at 1 Veterans Place, from 10 a.m. to noon.; and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at 5701 Marinelli Road .

Jeannette Cochran, executive pastor at Seneca Creek Community Church, said they had more than 20 projects in the building with more than 210 volunteers.

“I think it’s important that we as a community just come together, to work together, to collaborate,” she said.

In 2014, more than 400 volunteers participated in Silver Spring, 310 in Gaithersburg, and 2,500 in 48 projects at the Bethesda North Marriott.

Projects in Silver Spring are organized by the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. These three locations will also be collecting  non-perishable food donations for the Manna Food Center.

Callaway also said at the Marriott site visitors will have a chance to visit a volunteer fair, and learn about places to volunteer throughout the year.

The Bethesda and Silver Spring locations will also accept new and gently used sleeping bags, blankets and new socks for the homeless.

To find out more and where to volunteer, visit Montgomery County Volunteer Center website.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

View all posts by Aline Barros