Participants can also engage in a racial wealth gap simulation — an activity that the church hopes will show how and why there is such a deep racial wealth gap in the United States. Each person will assume a racial identity and follow laws and statutes to shape their experience in accumulating wealth. From the period of slavery and Reconstruction to the era of Jim Crow segregation onward, laws limited employment, education, and business opportunities, and also limit
ed opportunities for investments and homeownership for Black Americans. The activity is designed to illustrate the ways these practices still have financial impact today.
“People gain or lose resources based on the laws,” explained the Rev. Stephanie Templin Ashford, lead pastor at the church. “At the end of the simulation, different races have different resources available to them.”
Monday, Jan. 16 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bristol Marsh Nature Preserve, Bristol
Help protect one of Pennsylvania’s few remaining fresh tidal marshes with the Heritage Conservancy and volunteer to pick up trash. The Heritage Conservancy said in its request for volunteers, “The more trash we collect, the less will get washed into our waterways!”
MLK Day events in Chester County
Monday, Jan. 16 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
650 Pennsylvania Dr., Exton
The Chester County Food Bank will host a drive-thru food drive. The organization said its most needed food items are cereal, hearty soups, olive oil, pasta, spices, tomato products, and vinegar.
Those who can’t make it for the drive-thru food drive can still drop off items at the Chester County Food Bank warehouse Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 16 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University
The Martin Luther King CommUNITY of the Greater Kennett Area will hold its 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the Lincoln University Wellness Center. The event will include several presentations and workshops, as well as a brunch and film screening.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Monday, Jan. 16 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
113 W. Chestnut St., West Chester
The Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children will hold several service events, including a community art project, donation drive, and virtual community conversation on housing.
Registration for the virtual discussion is required here. Donation drive items can be dropped off at the organizations’ offices.
MLK Day events in Delaware County
Monday, Jan. 16 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Various locations in Chester
The Philadelphia Union, City of Chester, Delaware County, Widener University, CAAT Center, and Making A Change Group will host a day of service across the city of Chester — rain or shine. The project starts at Calvary Baptist Church with a breakfast and information session, followed by a peace march, a community clean-up, and community building and art activities.
Those interested in attending must register for the shifts they plan on attending. Space is limited.
Monday, Jan. 16 | 1 – 4 p.m.
302 S. Jackson St., Media
Media Fellowship House will host its sixth annual MLK Day toiletry drive. The organization is asking for new and unopened toiletries, such as baby wipes, deodorant, period products, and soap.
If you plan on volunteering or putting together a collection of items through your own school or organization, Media Fellowship House would like you to register.
Sunday, Jan. 15 | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
350 W. State St., Media
Media Fellowship House and the Media Area NAACP Branch are holding their 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration at First Church Media. There will be speakers from the New Pennsylvania Project and FathersRead365 along with musical guests.
Community members planning on attending must RSVP for their free spot.
Monday, Jan. 16 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Trinity Circle Drive on College Avenue, Swarthmore
Trinity Church in Swarthmore will host its ninth annual day of service in support of Caring For Friends and other organizations collecting for individuals facing housing and food insecurity. The church is asking people to make breakfast bags and drop them off on the morning of MLK Day.
Instructions on how to make the breakfast bags can be found here. Their goal is to collect 1,000 meals.
MLK Day events in Montgomery County
Monday, Jan. 16 | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
249 Jacoby St., Norristown
The George Washington Carver Community Center is asking volunteers to help with upkeep of the 62-year-old building and property. Projects include cleaning, painting, exterior repairs, and organization.
The recreation center has the only public pool in Norristown, and hosts after school programs, youth basketball, and media and financial literacy programs. It plans to hold another community conversation around violence prevention.
