By Dianne Anderson

Volunteers, by the hundreds at the local level, or hundreds of thousands nationally, are rolling up their sleeves for MLK Day, not just with cerebral reflections, but living the dream through action.

This year’s Long Beach Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration has over 80 parade entries, including churches, schools, nonprofits, city departments, elected officials and small businesses to honor his legacy, and community diversity.

Jennifer De Prez, spokesperson for the city, said that with over 20 organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and city departments showcasing their services and resources, the event promises a packed family-friendly day.

“We look forward to having many of our local schools and youth participating in this year’s parade and celebration,” she said, adding, “We have an incredible lineup of special guests and performers.”

On Saturday, January 18, the city hosts its Annual MLK Day parade from 10:00 a.m. to noon, followed by a community resource fair until 5 p.m. at MLK Jr. Park.

The community is invited to amplify their voices by bringing signs with their favorite MLK quotes, and join the parade audience along the route.

Volunteers over 18 years old are welcome to support the parade and park celebration with responsibilities that include standing at the barricade, staffing the information booth, trash collection, and general assistance to set up and break down at the event.

Under the theme “Together We Rise: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Inspiring Change,” she said the event celebrates community resilience and inspires change.

“It also serves as a time of reflection to find strength in our shared values and a dedication to building a better future united as one. During the event, we will reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and reaffirm our commitment to his vision of justice, equity and peace for all,” she said.

On Monday, January 20, Leadership Long Beach, along with a dedicated crew of volunteers and community members, will team up for the 16th Annual MLK Day of Service, along with partners, California Volunteers, the Governor’s Office, and CSULB.

Mayor Rex Richardson said he is thrilled once again to participate, inspired by how it brings residents citywide together in the spirit of Dr. King. He commended Leadership Long Beach for continuing to lead the community effort, now the largest MLK Service event in LA County.

“This year, we are collaborating with statewide agencies like California’s Volunteers, national and regional employers, and local nonprofits to make a meaningful impact in our city. I encourage everyone to sign up, bring your family and friends and join us on January 20th for a ‘Day on’ for Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson.

The event kicks off from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. with a community pancake breakfast before heading out to volunteer on various projects starting at 10:30 a.m. The event starts at Long Beach City College, Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (formerly PCC) at 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway.

Matt Guardabascio said Leadership Long Beach is getting new volunteer signups every day on their website for projects across the city.

Leadership Long Beach has expanded partnerships with agencies, local and national employers that have committed their employees to volunteer on the Day of Service.

He said their nonprofit’s mission is to act as a catalyst and inform community leaders.

“This is a culminating event for us where we are working with community partners and organizations to identify needs and connect them to hundreds of volunteers who want to be activated to make a difference in their city,” said  Guardabascio, director of the organization’s Alumni of Donor Engagement.

With 16 categories of volunteer services, there is something for everyone. He said they’ve already filled over half of the volunteer opportunities.

“We have 800 slots and about 450 people that have signed up to volunteer already,” he said. “I think there’s a real desire for people to get out and do something and makes them feel good about the place they live.”

Long Beach District 6 Councilwoman Suely Saro said she is proud to support LLB’s Annual MLK Day of Service in commemoration and to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, his ideals of unity, compassion, equity, and justice with a day of action.

“It is through acts of service that we continue to uplift one another, strengthen our communities, and embody the values of service that Dr. King so powerfully. Let’s honor Dr. King through service!” she said.

A day on, not a day off, has been the mantra from day one of the MLK holiday that carries a long litany of valuable lessons in service, history, and democracy.

The National MLK Day of Service estimates that one million volunteers serve each year, including feeding the homeless and neighborhood clean-ups.

But on January 20, the nation will grapple with a divergence of emotions for millions who won’t be glued to the TV that day — the traditional Inauguration Day as Number 47 gets sworn in.

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, is leading a series of events, including mobilizing the fight for justice with demonstrations in Washington D.C., and New York City the week of Dr. King’s birthday.

He said the nation is standing at a crossroads in the fight for the soul of America.

“On the eve of Donald Trump’s second term, we need to be clear as day: Dr. King did not march, preach and lay down his life so that we would one day again retreat into the shadows of hatred and division,” said Rev. Sharpton in a statement. “The man who has made it his mission to suppress the vote, demonize diversity, and roll back our rights will take the oath again, and this moment demands that we be louder, stronger and more determined than ever to keep Dr. King’s dream alive.”

For more information:

See, www.longbeach.gov/mlkparade/.

For volunteer opportunities, see www.leadershiplb.org/mlk