January 6, 2023
The annual Northern Berkshire MLK Day of Service will return in person on January 16th after a three-year hiatus to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for a day of volunteering.
The event is organized by the Martin Luther King Day Committee to celebrate the life, principles, and ideals of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” This year, the MLK Jr. Day of Service committee will announce the annual Peacemaker Award – Mary Lou Accetta – for being a tireless advocate for all residents of Berkshire County since her first days as a volunteer at Mary Jezyk Sunshine Park in North Adams at the age of 13.
The day begins at 8:30 a.m. in MCLA’s Venable Gym with coffee and pastries followed by departure to service sites at 9 a.m. Participants will choose from more than ten sites to provide service to the community, including Louison House, NB Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, weatherization for homes, food collection sites, and projects onsite at the MCLA Venable Gym. There will be projects suitable for all ages and abilities. This year, the CHP Mobile Health Van will be on-site offering free balance checks and vaccinations.
Participants will return to the MCLA Venable Gym at 12:30 p.m. to share a free luncheon and community celebration, enjoy local entertainment, and hear uplifting words in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.
This “A Day On, Not a Day Off” event is free and everyone in the community is encouraged to volunteer and celebrate the northern Berkshire community. Volunteers can pre-register online at https://bit.ly/2023_MLK or by calling the northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) at 413-663-7588.
For more information on the MLK Day of Service and Celebration in Northern Berkshire or the MLK Day of Service committee in Northern Berkshire, contact Kathy Keeser at Kathykeeser@gmail.com or at (413) 664-4006 or Liz Boland at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at (413) 663-7588.
About nbCC
The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is dedicated to empowering the Northern
Berkshire region to enhance the quality of life through our efforts at connecting,
convening, and supporting all facets of the community. The Coalition places particular
emphasis on strengthening neighborhoods and community life; preventing youth alcohol/substance
abuse; helping families to be strong and resilient; fostering economic development;
promoting health and wellness; supporting positive youth development and building
bridges between residents and service agencies. nbCC is a member agency of the Northern
Berkshire United Way and Williamstown Community Chest. For more information, visit
www.nbccoalition.org.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA
is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully
empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 128-year commitment
to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence.
For 10 of the last 12 years, MCLA has been named a Top Ten College by U.S. News and
World Report. MCLA also appears on the organization’s list of top National Public
Liberal Arts Colleges. Since the list was created, MCLA has risen to #33 as a Top
Performer on Social Mobility and ranks first among all Massachusetts liberal arts
schools, which measures how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell
Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
