Thoughts & Opinions | Jan 2025

Koret Grantees Honor the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr

Participants hold signs at the annual Martin Luther King Jr Day March with GLIDE church

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, January 20th, Americans honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Many chose to participate in a day of service, recognizing that a day “on” rather than a day off is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the service of others. Projects include beach cleanups, meal preparation, schoolyard beautification, and countless other tasks to make our communities better places to live. 

The Koret Foundation is proud to spotlight three grantees who work to make Dr. King’s vision of a more connected and just society a reality. 

 

The Mission Continues

For over fifteen years, the team at The Mission Continues has connected over 120,000 veterans with under-resourced communities nationwide. They deploy veteran volunteers to work with nonprofits and community leaders on issues like educational access, food security, and neighborhood identity. The Mission Continues helps veterans continue to serve their communities and create lasting change in their own lives and their communities. 

The MLK Day of Service is one of its largest initiatives, in which chapters partner with local nonprofits on specific projects. This year, chapters in 17 states participated in 34 targeted “deployments” across the United States.

In Stockton, California 45 volunteers helped build an outdoor garden at Haven for Peace, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence. In Kansas City, Missouri, volunteers braved freezing temperatures to remove a quarter ton of trash from the George Washington Carver Farm, a space that provides fresh produce to the local community. In these and other deployments, The Mission Continues ensured that participants gathered to make connections, make a difference, and leave a positive impact on their communities

The Mission Continues volunteers build a garden for Haven of Peace, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence in Stockton, CA

 

Peninsula Jewish Community Center

The Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC) participated in the 13th annual Multifaith Coalition Day of Service. Over 130 volunteers from the PJCC joined with nearly 500 total participants from every faith tradition to support service activities at over 30 sites on the peninsula. 

The PJCC hosted 150 volunteers onsite to practice the value of tikkun olam (repairing the world) through activities like creating no-sew blankets, pet beds, and knit caps.Their efforts benefited nonprofits like Jewish Family and Community Services, LifeMoves, Peninsula Humane Society, and St. Vincent de Paul. Volunteers gathered together around tables to work on their projects and get to know one another. Participants remarked on what a meaningful opportunity it was to build community across age, race, and belief systems, and work together on behalf of the larger peninsula community.

Volunteers work on no-sew blankets at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center

 

GLIDE

Though not technically a Day of Service, one of the most joyous celebrations of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the GLIDE community’s annual march. This tradition started in 1986 when GLIDE co-founder Rev. Cecil  Williams became chair of the Martin Luther King Birthday Observance Committee at the request of Coretta Scott King. Since then, GLIDE has been leading marches to remind San Franciscans of Dr. King’s messages of love, peace, and unity with the exuberance that is a GLIDE hallmark.

Hundreds of marchers congregated at the Caltrain station and marched to Yerba Buena Gardens where San Francisco’s Interfaith Council prepared a memorable program to celebrate the occasion. Rev. Marvin K. White led remarks as GLIDE CEO Dr. Gina Fromer stood at the front of the crowd. Listeners were inspired and entertained by the GLIDE choir, spoken word poetry, and an address from new mayor Daniel Lurie. 

Rev. White welcomed all participants, from first-time marchers to seasoned activists saying, “This is not a time for fear, but for faith.” The sense of joy and community was palpable in the space as participants of all ages danced, chanted, and celebrated the legacy of Dr. King.