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Community Corner

St. Charles County Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Check out Patch's round-up of MLK Day celebrations and events happening in the area.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have turned 82 on Sunday. He was born Michael Luther King, Jr. but later changed his name to Martin, according to Nobelprize.org.

Best known for his work in building racial equality and harmony, King received the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35, making him the youngest man to have received the award. 

He was named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1963, and received five honorary degrees in the course of his life. The protests he led between 1957 and 1968 in Birmingham, AL caught the attention of the entire world and inspired his manifesto called “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

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In August of 1963, King directed a peaceful march on Washington, D.C. and brought with him 250,000 people, to who he delivered his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at his Memphis, TN hotel, where he planned to lead a protest march to help the striking garbage workers in Memphis.

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There are several events being held in St. Charles County to honor Dr. King and his life’s work.

Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • ’s Black Student Union will present The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 3 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the Emerson Black Box Theatre, located in the . The free event is open to the public and will include student performances, music from Lindenwood’s vocal group and a keynote presentation from motivational speaker Tyrone Flowers.
  • will host a community celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. Their program, titled “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On Not a Day Off,” will feature a keynote speech from William Jenkins as well as a performance from the Rhema Dance Ministry. The free event is open to the public, and refreshments will be served after the performances. For more information, call ’s office at 636-327-5101 or Barbara Love at 314-591-8468.
  • The St. Charles Ministerial Alliance will sponsor a on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. The service will be hosted by the , located at 131 Gamble St. and will feature Rev. Emory Washington, a retired Episcopal priest. The theme is “Building a More Just and Beloved Community.” For more information, call 636-947-8778.
  • Kids in Wentzville are invited to on Jan. 16 at the , located at 1200 Corporate Pkwy. Kids can make crafts and will hear stories that reflect King’s message of peace and friendship. Registration is required. Visit the library’s website or call 636-327-4010 to register or for more information.

Give Back: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Several organizations in the area will gather for community service, rather than taking a day off on Monday. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service efforts are a part of United We Serve, President Obama’s national call to service initiative that calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to come up with solutions to the most urgent national problems. 

 Here are some service opportunities in and near the St. Charles County area.

  • Volunteers will meet at the on Monday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. They will create tissue paper and origami flowers and decorate cards to be distributed to residents who live in local care facilities on (Feb. 14.) To pre-register (required) call 636-379-5408 or email the O’Fallon Volunteer Services Department at volunteer@ofallon.mo.us. You can visit the O’Fallon website for more information.
  •  , located at the in Hazelwood, is participating in the movement with its fifth annual Warm Coats + Warm Hearts Drive, which runs until Jan. 16. Residents are asked to donate any gently worn coat to the cause, which can be left in collection boxes in the front of the store. And, those who donate will receive a 10 percent off coupon for their next purchase.

To find other service locations and events, visit the All for Good website to search for opportunities nearby.

Other Items of Note for MLK Day

  • All federal, state, county and city offices and services, including the U.S. Post Office will be closed, as well as all public and most private schools and libraries.
  • will be open during normal business hours, and will have an extended public ice skating session from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Martin Luther  King Day.
  • O’Fallon senior citizens can enjoy billiards and pinochle at 9 a.m. and bingo at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the .
  • St. Peters senior citizens will be treated to crafts, a senior exercise class and bingo on Jan. 16 at the St. Peters Senior Center.
  • Lake Saint Louis Patch editor Tamara Duncan to participate in the MLK Day of Service.
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