MLK Jr. Day: Volunteering, What’s Open and What’s Not
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which will be observed this Monday, January 21, is intended to be a day of service and peace. Federal and state offices are closed so people can get out and volunteer. Read further for places you can serve our neighbors or, since schools will be closed, where you can take your young ones who have the day off for the holiday.
Want to Volunteer?
Local volunteer activities at CBE, Hurricane Sandy Relief Kitchen, and CHIPS are at capacity for the weekend, but you can still donate to the food drive at Old First Reformed Church (729 Carroll Street at 7th Avenue). Drop off canned food between 8am-2pm on Friday and Saturday, to be prepared and distributed to areas still in need after Hurricane Sandy. Their needs include: beans (canned or dried) including kidney, red, cannelini, chick peas; pasta including elbow, ziti, rotelle, and penne; vegetables, especially tomatoes; and tuna.
Occupy Sandy is still looking for volunteers. Sign up on their website.
MLKDay.org serves as, among other things, a curator of volunteer activities happening on Monday. Check out their site for additional activities, which can be searched by zip code.
What’s Open?
Our restaurants, coffee shops and bars are open regular hours on Martin Luther King Day.
Brooklyn Academy of Music (Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue) will hold a free, first come, first served tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Doors open at 8am, show starts at 10:30am.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden (150 Eastern Parkway) which is normally closed on Mondays, is open on MLK Day.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Avenue) will be open for extended hours and will have a number of activities related to MLK’s message of peace.
In Prospect Park the Lefferts House and the Audubon Center will be open from 12-4pm.
Prospect Park Zoo (450 Flatbush Avenue) is open.
What’s Closed?
Alternate side parking, garbage and recycling collection, and mail delivery are all suspended.