Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived a life dedicated to service to others and calling attention to and helping to fight injustice. This is the theme of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Week and Day of Service that will take place January 15 to 18.

The event begins on Monday, January 15, the day that would have been Dr. King’s 89th birthday, with an MLK Peace Walk, Rally and Day of Service.

The event will be held at Pennsylvania College of Technology in the Bardo Gymnasium. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for registration for service projects.

Volunteers will be sent to several community service providers in Lycoming and Clinton counties. Most of the service provider agencies are in Williamsport.

Locations for Service Projects include the West End Christian Community Center, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Firetree Place, Saving Grace Shelter, the American Rescue Workers Thrift Stores in Williamsport and Jersey Shore, the Salvation Army in Lock Haven, the Salvation Army locations on Dewey Ave. and on Lycoming Mall Drive, New Love Center Food Pantry, Transitional Living Center, the River Valley YMCA in Williamsport, Family Promise of Lycoming County, Sojourner Truth Ministries, and the Center City Food Pantry.

There will be a short PeaceWalk through the nearby neighborhood at 9 a.m. The walkers will return to Bardo Gym for warm refreshments and to listen to guest speakers.

Afterwards, the volunteers will be sent to their service projects (approximately 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Events continue on Tuesday, January 16, at 7 p.m. at Lycoming College Clarke Chapel 700 College Place, Williamsport, with Lift Every Voice and Sing – A Celebration of Dr, King’s life. (2018 will mark 50 years since his death.) Various members of the community will sing and read poetry, in honor of Dr. King’s life.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 5 p.m. at Christ Community Worship Center, 436 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, will be Unity Through Understanding. Doors open at 5 p.m., light dinner will be available. At 5:30 p.m. members of the community will engage in conversation in a Round Table discussion about Unity through Understanding.

The week’s festivities conclude on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s ACC Auditorium with a program devoted to Community Unity.

Coach Herman Boone, the inspiration for the movie “Remember the Titans” (2000) starring Denzel Washington, will be the keynote speaker. In 1971 Coach Boone, amid much rancor and racial tensions formed a winning high school football team.

All events are free and open to the public.

This event is sponsored and promoted by STEP, Inc., AmeriCorps, the Beloved Community Council, the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College.