Serve & Give Back during MLK Days of Service across Memphis
January 17-20, 2025
Join thousands of volunteers around the country as we honor the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by rolling up our sleeves & serving our community alongside family, friends, & neighbors. Check out opportunities below.
After you sign up to serve, join Leadership Memphis at the MLK Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, January 18th, from noon until 2pm at the Hollywood Community Center. This is a collaborative effort to promote health, wellness, and access to resources. This event will provide free health screenings and activities for the kids, as well as dozens of organizations focused on providing healthy options for your life.
Then, on Monday, January 20th, everyone can meet at the National Civil Rights Museum and join the all-day celebration, with virtual options, too! There will be outdoor Main Stage performances by several local artists, including vocalist Karen Brown, Gerald Richardson and more. The Community & Family Activity Tent will feature area organizations, children’s activities, and entertainment. At 10:00 am, the museum will share an online presentation for virtual audiences to explore Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a leader of peace and justice with a fresh perspective on his humanity.
Monday, January 20 | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Passionate volunteers are needed to help coordinate #KingDay2025. This year’s celebration will also mark the launch of the museum’s yearlong observance themed Community Over Chaos, highlighting pivotal anniversaries in civil rights history, including the 60th anniversary year of the Selma March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Saturday, January 18 | 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, January 19 | 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Monday, January 20 | 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Get your hands dirty for a great cause! Girls Inc. needs volunteers to prep their urban farm for the spring. This is a great way to support a mission that inspires and empowers young girls in Memphis.
Saturday, January 18
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This MLK Day of Service event will focus on preserving T.O. Fuller State Park, a historically significant site for the African American community. Volunteers will assist with hiking trail restoration, playground surface renewal, and invasive species removal.
Saturday, January 18 | 9:00 a.m. to noon
Sunday, January 19 | 9:00 a.m. to noon
Thistle & Bee is transforming lives, and you can be part of their journey! Help paint walls, organize supplies, and clean their new clinic space. Your efforts will directly support survivors of trafficking as they rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Saturday, January 18 | 10:00 a.m. to noon
Sunday, January 19 | 10:00 a.m. to noon
Join Memphis City Beautiful and partners in Midtown and Orange Mound on Saturday or the Mitchell Heights community on Sunday. Volunteers will plant native trees, clean-up intersections, and help create more inviting spaces in our city. Wear weather- appropriate clothing and get ready to dig in!
Monday, January 20
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Join us at Overton Park as we repair the Limestone Trail after recent storm damage. Bring a pair of work gloves and a couple of friends. Meet at the East Parkway Pavilion in Overton Park.
Multiple Projects and Shifts Available
Room in the Inn provides a welcoming, safe space for those experiencing homelessness, built on love and respect. Lend a hand with projects that directly support their mission!
Ongoing | Open Availability
Take part in the Helping Hands project, an ongoing effort to pick up 2,025 pieces of litter by the end 2025. By volunteering, you’ll contribute to keeping one of Memphis’ most cherished green spaces clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Friday, January 17
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Join the Mid-South Food Bank to pack meal boxes for the Care Like King Days of Service. Your time and effort will help fight hunger and ensure families across Memphis have access to nutritious meals.
Saturday, January 18
09:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Use your 3-day weekend to do something important for your neighborhood! Come help out on the V&E Greenline. We have plenty to do as we continue to prepare for the Spring growth. Meet us at Kirby Station (1625 Tutwiler) at 9am for donuts, coffee, community, and lots of hard work.
Saturday, January 18
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Helping with trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, trash clean-up, resetting the children’s Discovery Forest, and helping to plant native plants.