In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose contributions to civil rights in Chicago and beyond are unparalleled, many people are taking their day off to do something positive in their communities.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was named a national day of community service in 1994, and there is no shortage of ways you can get involved. Here is just a handful of things you can do to get involved. For more options, visit www.mlkday.gov.
Baking for Haiti
If you feel like lending your baking skills to a good cause, the Hideout is still seeking bakers for their Haiti benefit concert, bake sale and poster sale Monday night. The benefit features music by The Waco Brothers and Eleventh Dream Day as well as a Judgeworks poster sale. Join the ranks of esteemed local bakers including food blogger Joanna Miller, Janine MacLachlan of Rustic Kitchen and more.
If you are interested in baking, contact Joanna at joannam@apartmenttherapy.com. If you're just looking for a good time, the $20 cover and all proceeds from the bake sale and poster sale will be donated to the Partners In Health Haiti relief effort.
Show starts at 8 p.m.
The Hideout
1354 West Wabansia
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 227-4433
Organizing for America In Lincoln Square
On the North Side, Sen. Heather Steans will join other elected officials to host various volunteer projects. Over 300 people are expected at the event, where you can help seniors winterize their homes, painting school classrooms and other repair projects in the neighborhood.
Participants are also urged to bring gently used clothing and unused personal items to distribute to local organizations. Volunteers can show up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at 5533 N. Broadway or 4327 N. Lincoln Ave. or reply to jen@heathersteans.com.
Chicago HOPES
If you have been meaning to make a more substantial commitment to volunteer work, today is a good day to get in touch with Chicago HOPES. Chicago HOPES connects tutors with homeless Chicago Public School students, and tutoring experience is not required. To learn more, visit chicagohopes.org.