On January 20, the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI) hosted the 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, bringing the community together to honor Dr. King’s legacy of service and equality. Despite snowy and cold weather, nearly 400 Livingston residents participated in a variety of acts of service and kindness.
Numerous organizations hosted service projects to benefit the community.
The National Charity League collected books for children in pre-K through sixth grade.
The Kiwanis Club of Livingston assembled care packages for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The Livingston Police Department held an anti-bullying poster contest. Temple Beth Shalom assembled snack packs for food-insecure families.
The League of Women Voters hosted voter registration, an “Ask the Mayor” activity, and a civics game.
The Livingston Chinese Association collected canned goods for donation to those in need.
Sanskriti ofNew J ersey assembled hygiene kits for the homeless.
The Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States (AYLUS) of West Essex collected items for the Jersey Care Animal Shelter and created cards for hospital patients.
The Livingston Clergy Association made friendship bracelets.
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School’s Girl Scout Troop 20309 offered a bracelet-making activity featuring positive messages.
The NAACP of Maplewood and the Oranges hosted a registration table and provided a keynote address.
The Livingston High School and Heritage Middle School Muslim Student Association assembled selfcare kits.
The Livingston Lion’s Club provided free vision screenings.
Sweet Deeds hosted cookie (Continued on Page A-6) decorating activities.
Above, a Livingston police officer teaches a boy about bullying during the January 20 Day of Service. At right, Aryanna Lennon, president of the Livingston High School Black Student Union speaks during the event. Additional photos of the event may be seen on page B-3. Jerry Siskind Photos
The LCDI led a craft project inspired by the book Let the Children March.
The program featured remarks from distinguished speakers, including Mayor Ed Meinhardt, Rabbi Simeon Cohen representing the Livingston Clergy Association, Lady Trish Scapio of the NAACP, members of the Livingston High School Black Student Union, and Rabbi David Vaisberg. Musical performances, including a rendition of “We Shall Overcome,” were delivered by a member of the Livingston Symphony Orchestra.
Support from local businesses, including Lidl Grocery Store and Paris Baguette, provided refreshments for the event. “This annual day of service is a testament to Livingston’s spirit of community and commitment to honoring Dr. King’s vision of equality and compassion,” said Mayor Meinhardt.
Alyse Heilpern, chairperson of the LCDI’s MLK Day of Service Sub-Committee, said, “This day brings out the best in the community and shows the commitment to help each other through service. We appreciate the organizations who sponsored the community service projects as well as the many individuals who helped complete them.” CareOne. Sanskriti of New Jersey assembled hygiene kits for the homeless, while Temple Beth Shalom was assembling snack packs. The West Essex Alliance of Youth Leaders was collecting pet supplies for the Jersey Cares’ animal shelter program and making cards for hospital patients. The Livingston High School and Heritage Middle School Muslim Students Assocation spent the day assembling self-care kits.
This day served as a reminder that Dr. King’s dream of a better world lives on through the community’s collective efforts. Each act of kindness towards those in need can have a significant impact.
