The coalition is sponsoring the annual MLK celebration this year, which will take place in the auditorium of Lebanon Junior High School, 160 Miller Road, said Ray Kimberlin, the event’s publicist. Activities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and a celebration at 7 p.m.
The event has a long history.
“We actually started the year before it was made into a national holiday. We’ve been on the forefront of the event,” she said.
The event will feature a number of different activities and volunteer opportunities and then we conclude with an evening celebration.
“We’ll have volunteer groups from different organizations, donors to donate various items, we have teamed up with the Police Department, who will be there doing internet safety and giveaways, a children’s area with facepainting, arts and crafts and an opportunity to learn about Dr. King.”
Among the activities will be Photography by Dunn Well and Mr. Jay Mills the 2013 Drum Major for Service Award recipients, music from Tom Giron and Jay Mills, and a performance by Children of God Mime Ministry.
Lebanon students have contributed through an MLK Essay Contest and Art Show. Veterans Administration Chaplain Rev. Dr. Wendell Rome will be the keynote speaker in the evening.
Additionally, Kimberlin said there will be opportunities to honor those who continue to serve the community today in the military.
“We have a military focus this year where we’ll have opportunities to get involved to support military families,” she said.
Volunteers will be able to spruce up the grounds of American Legion Post 486, send coupons to military families overseas as well as collecting Valentine’s day cards and gifts to donate to the area military members, she said.
“We’ve received responses that this is a great opportunity to remember and honor Dr. King’s vision and take it into modern times for this area,” she said.
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