Many Inland Northwest communities plan Martin Luther King, Jr., Day events
In Yakima, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Worship Service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, at Greater Faith Baptist Church. The community Martin Luther King Walk will begin at noon, starting at MLK Blvd and 5th Ave. and proceeding toward the Yakima Convention Center.
In Ellensburg, Central Washington University students are hosting a Martin Luther King, Jr., event at 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, for fifth grade students at Mt. Stuart Elementary School to highlight King’s leadership and impact on the United States. Fifth graders will rotate in small groups through multiple mini-centers to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr., and to create takeaway resources to convey his civil rights work with others.
In Pullman and Moscow, the Center for Civic Engagement has scheduled a Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service for Washington State University students, faculty and staff, and for people in the community from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, said Erin McIlraith, event coordinator.
There are opportunities for grooming animals at the Whitman County Humane Society, sorting food at the Community Action Center, caring for neglected horses and wildlife at Orphan Acres, socializing at Whitman Senior Living and cleaning at the Palouse Discovery Science Center.
More opportunities will be posted at http://cce.wsu.edu/mlkday.
Other events for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 2012, “Making the Dream a Reality,” include:
• A Celebration Opening Event will be at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the WSU CUB Concourse F.
• A Community Celebration with Aaron Oforlea, of WSU’s English Department, is at 4 p.m., Thursday, at the CUB Jr. Ballroom.
• Freedom Riders Helen and Bob Singleton will speak at the Moscow Community Breakfast at 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, at Moscow Junior High.
• A Service of Remembrance will be offered by Emmanuel Christian Life Center at 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman.
• The YWCA will hold a program on “Women and the Civil Rights Movement,” at noon, Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Women’s Resource Center.
• University Singers plan a program on “Singing for Justice” on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the WSU School of Music.
• Jeff Guillory, of the WSU diversity education program, and Barbara Ward of the College of Education will speak on “Teaching for Justice” from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 21, at Freedom School at the Talmadge Anderson Heritage House, 935 B St.
For information, call 335-7707 or call 339-6172 or email fgaskins@wsu.edu or emcilraith@wsu.edu
In Lewiston, Lewis and Clark State College will host a luncheon and cultural celebration at 11:45 a.m., Monday, Jan. 16, at the Williams Conference Center, followed by a day of service from 1 to 3:30 p.m., in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and Idaho Human Rights Day. Volunteers will be randomly assigned to a team and be challenged to complete a community service project.
For information, call 208-792-2740 or email lldavies@lcsc.edu.
In Coeur d’Alene, the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations will hold its Martin Luther King, Jr. Gala Event from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, at Parkside Tower Event Center at 601 E. Front St.
Entitled “Every Human Has Rights,” the event will feature a variety of food, wine, music, silent and live auctions.
For information, call Michelle Find, chair, at 208-765-3333.
The Human Rights Education Institute (HREI) in Coeur d’Alene is co-sponsoring presentations in the Living Voices program, “The Right to Dream,” for fifth graders in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls school districts.
In addition it will offer a showing for parents and fifth graders at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the institute.
The HREI is also planning activities for families on Martin Luther King, Jr., and the civil rights movement on Mondays, Jan. 16 and 23.
• On Jan. 16, the focus is on talking about historical and community heroes, and making “Hero Cereal Boxes.”
• On Jan. 23, participants will create kindness chains and discuss the strength and courage it took for past leaders to create a kinder world, and how they can continue the chain in the community.
There will be family nights from 3 to 7 p.m., Mondays for stories, crafts and activities.
Other new events include:
• A book club at 7 p.m., Thursday, beginning Jan. 26.
• A monthly women’s program, “Girls’ Night Out,” begins at 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27.
The Human Rights Education Institute is holding a Values Project Contest for area high school juniors and seniors, launching on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Monday, Jan. 16, with opportunities for participants to share ideas to make the community stronger.
For information, call 208-292-2359 or visit hrei.org.
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