MLK National Day of Service
By Nicole Long, CEO of OCES
Every year on the third Monday of January, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader and activist. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a special holiday designated as an official National Day of Service that encourages volunteerism.
Volunteering strengthens our ties to one another and to our communities. By volunteering, you can interact with like-minded people who have a passion to help others. Volunteering also enables you to share your knowledge and talents, acquire new skills and gain valuable experience.
There are many organizations that rely on volunteers to help them fulfill their mission, from food pantries and senior service agencies to disaster services and human rights organizations, animal shelters, schools, churches and others.
Did you know? Research shows that volunteering can improve physical and mental health, especially for older adults, and can also reduce stress. Volunteering keeps you engaged and connected to others and to your community.
Join the volunteer movement on Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. You can make a difference in the lives of others and the community.
Don’t know where to start? Consider your interests and potential ways that you would like to help others. Think about your passion and purpose. There are many volunteer opportunities available, for example:
Helping shape a younger generation by reading to children;
Delivering meals to homebound older adults;
Caring for dogs, cats or small animals at an animal shelter;
Helping to build a new home for a family in need;
Greeting visitors in a nature center or a museum;
Driving/accompanying older adults to medical appointments.
Not sure how to become a volunteer? Or are you currently a volunteer seeking a new opportunity? Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest nonprofit provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, can help. To learn about volunteer opportunities throughout Plymouth County and surrounding communities, please visit OCES’ website, ocesma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities, You may also search volunteer opportunities by visiting VolunteerMatch at https://www.idealist.org/volunteermatch
Have questions about volunteering? Contact OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator at 508-584-1561 or email volunteerdept@ocesma.org.
