NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Martin Luther King Day Committee welcomes everyone to join them on Monday, Jan. 20, as the Northern Berkshire community celebrates the life, principles, and ideals of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a "Day of Service."

 

The day will include presentation of the annual Peacemaker Award to Adams Selectman James Bush.

 

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. at Venable Gym, located in the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Quad, with coffee and pastries. Participants will choose from more than 10 sites to provide service to the community, including: Louison House, Northern Berkshire Family YMCA, weatherization for homes, food collection sites, and projects onsite in the gym. There will be projects suitable for all ages and abilities.

 

Participants will return to the gym at 12:30 p.m. to share a free luncheon and community celebration, enjoy local entertainment and hear uplifting words in the spirit of Dr. King. The Peacemaker Award will be presented during the lunchtime celebration.

 

Bush is this year's recipient  for using his time, determination and talents to influence and bring together the Northern Berkshire region, collaborating between communities and efforts. The committee says he demonstrates what it means to volunteer for the benefit of others in his community and understands and demonstrates the importance of social connections among all community residents.

 

This "A Day On, Not a Day Off" event is free and everyone in the community is encouraged to volunteer and celebrate the Northern Berkshire community. 

 

Volunteers can register in advance at Berkshirenonprofits.com to ensure their preference for service project. Groups who want to volunteer together should register and signup with their choice of service project with the name of the group and names of all group members.

 

 

Those interested in participating in an on-site discussion about how borders can divide us are invited to prepare by attending a free curated tour of the exhibition "ERRE: Them and Us/Ellos y Nosotros" at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art on Sunday, Jan. 19. Participants should meet in the museum lobby at 11 a.m. to walk together to Building 6. The program will last about an hour.    

 

For more information, contact Kathy Keeser at Kathykeeser@gmail.com or at 413-664-4006 or Liz Boland at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at 413-663-7588.