Town of Amherst Celebrates the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst is celebrating the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by encouraging residents to participate in activities being organized in the town including the National Day of Service on Monday, January 20th and the National Day of Racial Healing on Tuesday, January 21st. Leading up to the holiday, local officials and organizations are partnering with State Representative Mindy Domb to host a food collection drive to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. 

“As we honor Dr. King’s vision, we invite all residents, families, and organizations to take part in acts of kindness throughout the day,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “Make it a day on, not a day off! Volunteer with a community group, clean up a local trail, help neighbors in need, or simply spread positivity in our community. Every act of service—big or small—makes a difference.” 

National Day of Service
On Monday, January 20th the Town is celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a Day of Service. We ask the community to take action and spread kindness. Dr. King believed in the power of people coming together to enact positive change. Everyone is invited to join in this spirit of service by making it “a day on, not a day off.” Whether you have a few minutes or the entire day, there is a way for everyone to contribute: 

• Brighten someone’s day by making a card with a positive message to send to residents participating in Meals on Wheels. Cards can be dropped off or mailed to the Amherst Senior Center (70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002). 
• Write a card to thank Public Works, CRESS, Police, and/or Fire departments for their work to keep our community safe. Cards can be dropped off to the Collectors Office (beige metal box on Main Street side of Town Hall) or mailed to Town Hall (4 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002). Please write: “Attn: Angela Mills” on the outside of the envelope.   
• Recognize a favorite teacher, bus driver, or librarian with a card of gratitude. 
• Paint and place kindness rocks in your neighborhood for others to find. 
• Write motivational chalk messages on your driveway or sidewalks. 
• Pay a compliment to a stranger. 
• Pick up litter in your neighborhood, local parks, or along a conservation trail. 
• Donate blood at the nearest blood donation center.  
• Donate food or clothing to local organizations of your choosing.  
• Offer random acts of kindness such as paying for someone’s coffee, leaving uplifting notes in public spaces, or helping a neighbor with chores. 
• Volunteer with the Town of Amherst or a local organization (Find opportunities at amherstma.gov/volunteer). 
• We welcome you to share your photos, videos, and posts about your service with the hashtag #DayofService2025 and tag @TownofAmherst on Facebook, Instagram, X, or BlueSky

The Amherst Recreation Department will be hosting a community card making event on Monday, January 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Room 101 at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002). All ages are welcome. Materials will be provided. Donations for the food drive will also be collected here. This event is free and open to the public. 

Light and Love Dr. MLK Jr. Day Community Food Drive 
In addition to individual acts of kindness, State Representative Mindy Domb and community partners are organizing a food collection drive to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. From now through January 20, community members can drop off non-perishable food items at designated collection points throughout Amherst. 

“Food insecurity levels are even higher than they were during the pandemic,” said Amherst Survival Center Executive Director Lev BenEzra. “Use of our food pantry is 70% higher every month than during the highest peaks of the pandemic.” 

Suggested donation items include canned beans, peanut butter, soups, cereal, pasta, and rice. Donations can be dropped off at collection boxes in Town Hall, Senior Center, Police Department, Jones Library, North Amherst Library, Munson Library, and Grace Church. Additional locations will be posted online, and businesses are invited to create their own collection as part of the community drive. People can also drop off their donations directly at the Amherst Survival Center (138 Sunderland Rd) on Dr. MLK Jr. Day, January 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more at repmindydomb.com/light-love-community-food-drive-2025

National Day of Racial Healing
On Tuesday, January 21st the Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion will be observing the National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) as the next installment in their ongoing “Becoming Beloved Community” with an event from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria (170 Chestnut St, Amherst, MA 01002). Amherst will be joining dozens of other communities across the country observing this day by hosting a community discussion focused on racial healing and racial equity. Food and refreshments will be provided. Please register for the event at bit.ly/amherst-NDORH-2025

The National Day of Racial Healing is a time to contemplate shared values and create the blueprint together for #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. Launched in 2017, it is an opportunity to bring all people together and inspire collective action to build common ground for a more just and equitable world. Learn more at dayofracialhealing.org. 

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