In 1983, legislation was signed to create a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This federal holiday was first observed in 1986, and, in 1995, it was designated as a day of service.
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 18, 2021, is the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is a federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Dr. King recognized the power of service: “Everyone can be great because everybody can serve.”
Observing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a way to begin each year with a commitment to making your community a better place.
This year, team members from Garmin will be able to participate in MLK Day of Service by working with Heart to Heart International. Team members can choose to write Thank You notes that Heart to Heart International will deliver to healthcare and frontline workers who have been critical in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, or team members can assemble no-sew fleece blankets that HHI will distribute to communities in need after disasters.
Acts of service honor Dr. King’s life and teachings and help meet community challenges. Service also brings people together of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The MLK Day of Service encourages all types of service.
Want to participate in MLK Day of Service? Check out our Volunteer Opportunities page or the MLK Day of Service page at nationalservice.gov.
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