Martin Luther King Day of Service 2021
By Dan DiBella
Members of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood community gathered on January 18th, 2021 for the 12th annual MLK Day of Service. The day was formed as a way to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Due to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony was held virtually on Facebook. It can be viewed on the Scotch Plains Township, and Fanwood, NJ Facebook pages.
Since 2016, the Day of Service Committee has been honoring individuals from the community who exemplify the work of Dr. King.
Organized by Michelle Shapiro Abraham, Amanda Barnett, and Courtney Agnello; the Day of Service is an opportunity for volunteers to celebrate the interwoven and compassionate community they create together. The hour-long presentation featured speeches from town officials, a video tribute to Dr. King, and songs by St. Johns Baptist Church and Congregation Beth Israel.
Among those present were: Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo, Fanwood Council President Anthony Carter, and Rabbi Howard Tilman of Congregation Beth Israel, along with several members of the committee.
The thought provoking video presentation, “Has the Dream Been Fulfilled?” compares Dr. King’s fight against inequality and injustice to today’s current struggle. The short tribute film was made by members of the MLK Day Service Project and local teens.
The 2021 Day of Service Award recipient is lifelong Scotch Plains resident, Kimberly Hood. Kimberly is an active volunteer at the Manna From Heaven Food Pantry, and also serves as president of the Missionary Ministry of St. John’s Baptist Church. This year’s award was presented by 2020 recipient Delois Dawson.
The Day of Service Committee also took the opportunity to talk about an exciting Black History initiative called, “The Legacy of Kramer Manor.” The project sets the precedent of educating and preserving history in the historically black sections of Scotch Plains and Fanwood.
Following the ceremony, hundreds of volunteers gathered at over 25 locations to collect donations, as well as participate in educational and service opportunities. The committee reported afterwards that 550 families volunteered and filled 1,600 volunteer slots.
“Today you helped create the community that we all want to live in.”
Together we:
- delivered over 100 meals to seniors and vets
- baked 40+ dozen brownies
- collected and knitted 100’s of hats and mittens for kids in need
- created hundreds of Valentine’s for seniors and vets
- filled carloads of toiletries for families in need
- covered our towns with over 50 hand-painted kindness rocks
- joined with over 250 others learning about the legacy of Dr. King and how to make our world more whole, just and compassionate.
If you are interested in joining on the Planning Committee for 2022, please email spfdayofservice@gmail.com.
