Program to Feature Performances, Community Service
Diverse performances, awards and a keynote speech focused on the theme of “Light in the Midst of Darkness” will highlight Rockville’s 48th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive.
Barbara Harrison, longtime reporter at Washington’s NBC4, will present the keynote speech.
There will be volunteer community service activities beginning at 11 a.m., along with information booths and free refreshments. The program, which is free and open to all ages, will begin at noon in the auditorium.
The ceremony will include the presentation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award to a student at a Rockville high school who has worked to fulfill King’s dream, and the F. Michael Taff Award to an individual, organization or business that has helped to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Before the program, volunteers will create blankets to be distributed to children in Montgomery County through the county chapter of Project Linus. The nonprofit’s mission is to “provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need, through the gift of new, handmade blankets lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers.’” Sign up to volunteer with Project Linus at www.rockvillemd.gov/2301/Project-Linus.
A second volunteer project will involve assembling winter survival kits for homeless veterans. Sign up to volunteer at www.rockvillemd.gov/2304/Build-Winter-Survival-Kits-for-Homeless- .
Volunteers are also needed to help with setup and cleanup, or as tech and stage crew, ushers and more. Student Service Learning credit is available.
To learn more about the celebration, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/mlk or contact Janet Kelly at 240-314-8316 or jkelly@rockvillemd.gov. For information about accessibility, call the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator at 240-314-8108.
This post has been updated.