Introduction
On January 19, 2026, the Greater Philadelphia region celebrated the 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Hundreds of volunteers gathered at Temple University and other sites to clean streets, plant trees, and distribute books and resources to underserved communities.
At a Glance
- Largest MLK Day of Service event in the nation, drawing thousands of participants.
- Temple University became the new signature site, replacing Girard College.
- Projects included book-ark construction, literacy kits, and health-and-wellness fairs.
- 400 volunteers from Drexel University joined a city-wide cleanup in West Philadelphia.
- More than 40 employers participated in the Jobs & Opportunity Fair.
- Why it matters: The day mobilizes residents to honor Dr. King’s legacy through tangible community service.
New Signature Site
Traditionally, the city’s MLK Day of Service events convened at Girard College, the site of the 16th year of the program. This year, organizers moved the signature event to Temple University. The change reflects a broader regional focus that includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Temple University Projects
The university hosted a series of activities coordinated by Independence Blue Cross and other partners:
- Book Arks – Volunteers assembled self-standing structures to provide free books to local organizations.
- Kids Carnival – Reading Captains and the Book Trust offered children the chance to choose books that mattered to them.
- Literacy Kits – Teams gathered donated books and reading resources for distribution.
- Reading Coach Training – Global Citizen, in partnership with the Read by 4th Campaign, trained volunteers to support early literacy.
- CPR Training – The Philadelphia Fire Department taught life-saving skills.
- Health & Wellness Fair – Provided free health screenings and wellness information.
- Hygiene Kits – Volunteers assembled kits for people experiencing homelessness.
- Voter Education – Sessions on registration and civic engagement.
- Workshop on Racism – Mobilized against censorship at federal historical sites.
Rally for Peace and Justice
From noon to 2 p.m., the Cecil B. Moore Philadelphia Freedom Fighters and the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity’s 57 Blocks Project led a rally to promote peace and justice.
Regional Activities
Girard College
- Teen Health and Resource Fair (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) followed by a panel discussion on desegregation.
Delaware County
- MLK Day Expungement Clinic (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) hosted by State Rep. Joanna McClinton and Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, in partnership with Legal Aid of SEPA and the Delaware County Public Defender Association.
Drexel University
- More than 400 volunteers joined a cleanup at 23 West Philadelphia sites, including Miles Mack Park and The James Wright Recreation Center.
Philadelphia City Council
- Isaiah Thomas and the Thomas and Woods Foundation hosted the fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Speech Contest at the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
Chosen 300
- Served meals to the homeless at 1116 Spring Garden Street and 3959 Lancaster Ave. at 5:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Orchestra
- The 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert opened at Marian Anderson Hall in partnership with Global Citizen’s Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service.
New Jersey
- Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill joined city officials in Camden’s Yorkship Square to clean Fairview and host a service fair.
Brandywine Valley SPCA
- Volunteers supported animal welfare across West Chester, Harrisburg, New Castle, and Georgetown campuses.
Philadelphia Police Department
- Officers from the 15th Police District worked with nonprofits It Takes a Village to Feed One Child and Unique Dreams Inc. from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 4704 Leiper Street.
PA Cyber
- On January 20, the PA Cyber Philadelphia office partnered with the Delaware County Food Bank to repack rice.
- On January 21, PA Cyber families and staff assembled personal care kits for the Allentown Rescue Mission.
Key Takeaways
- The 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service marked the largest gathering of volunteers in the nation.
- Temple University’s new role as signature site signals a regional shift and increased collaboration across state lines.
- A diverse slate of projects-from book distribution to health fairs-illustrated the community’s commitment to Dr. King’s vision of equity and service.
- The day’s events underscored the power of collective action to honor civil-rights history while addressing present-day needs.
Final Thought
By mobilizing volunteers, businesses, and public officials, the Greater Philadelphia region turned a day of remembrance into a day of tangible impact, echoing Dr. King’s call for service and justice.
