Volunteers Unite to Answer the Call to Service

Each year, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and his commitment to service, United Way of Greater Charlotte organizes MLK Call to Service where hundreds of volunteers come together and support the community.

The event honors the life and legacy of Dr. King through learning, service and inspiration around the holiday that bears his name. The occasion is an opportunity to be intentional about United Way’s focus on racial equity as a means of making the community better.

This year there were both in-person and virtual opportunities to serve.

The in-person project was hosted by Life Project at Northside Baptist Church, a United Neighborhoods Quarterback agency for the I-85/Sugar Creek corridor. Nearly 200 volunteers gathered at Northside Baptist to assemble 2,000 snack packs that are being delivered to schools and after-school programs supported by United Way.

Sixteen Unite Charlotte organizations shared their mission with volunteers throughout the day. 

In addition to the in-person event, our virtual volunteers – individuals, companies and neighborhood groups – are delivering completed snack packs and hygiene kits to United Way over the course of this week and have purchased more than 100 items (children’s books, hygiene items, socks, etc.) via an Amazon Wish List. 

There was also a virtual opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community, through the 5-Day MLK Learning Series. Each day, participants received an email with links to educational articles, videos, podcasts and more, all centered around a daily theme. 

While MLK Call to Service delivers valuable assistance to nonprofit organizations, schools and other service providers, it also allows community members to begin the New Year by reflecting on the meaning of Dr. King’s life of service.

Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that many of the causes he fought for still remain issues today.

United Way believes we must raise our voices, educate ourselves and do what is necessary to dismantle systemic racism all year long. Learn more about ways you can get involved in our work.