(Chelsea Update would like to thank Joanne Ladio for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Days of Service and Social Action will be Jan. 9-21 and a complete list of information can be found here.
Many community groups have organized activities and events for these two weeks to recall the spirit of Dr. King toward service and community involvement. Community members are encouraged to participate in as many activities as they can and to keep track of their work on Challenge Cards. Anyone who completes a row on the card will receive a certificate and small token.
The co-sponsors of this year’s events are One World One Family, The Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Rotary and the Chelsea Human Rights Commission. The Michigan Municipal League Foundation has provided a $500 Bridge Builder’s grant toward program expenses.
Challenge cards will be available in early January at the Chelsea District Library, City Council offices or at participating businesses. They can also be downloaded at www.owofchelsea.org/mlk2023.
The Challenge cards will include the activity details. Completed cards can be turned in at the library, brought to the closing event, or sent by email to [email protected].
A closing event for the Days of Service and Social Action will be held on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3:30 p.m. at the library. This event will include a dramatic reading of Dr. King’s I Have a Dream Speech and presentation of the awards for completed Challenge Cards.
Events and activities include the following:
Youth Essay Contest – sponsored by Chelsea Kiwanis. For Grades 1-12 with topics specified by age group. Essays or art due on Jan. 20.
Storyteller as Coretta Scott King at the Chelsea District Library on Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. in the McKune Room. No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Chelsea District Library.
Celebrating Diversity Through Food Intergenerational Workshop on Friday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the WSEC cafeteria. An exploration of foods from across the world. Sponsored by the Chelsea Senior Center. https://chelseaseniors.org
Making blankets for refugees No-Sew Blankets. Blanket kits provided or bring your own. Monday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-noon at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church. Sponsored by the Material Girls.
Decorating cards and Valentines for seniors. Join us or drop off what you’ve made at home. Monday, Jan. 16, 10 am-noon at Chelsea First United Methodist Church. Sponsored by Material Girls.
Learn about City Government – Reception with city officials and tours of Chelsea City Hall on Jan. 16, 3:30 p.m. Chelsea City Council Chambers. Sponsored by the City of Chelsea.
Collection for Safe House – organized by Silver Maples.
CLARA Training – How to engage nonviolently in difficult conversations through this 5-step process, facilitated by Layla Ananda of Deep Peace Consulting. Monday, Jan. 16, 6-7:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Sponsored by One World One Family.
Social Movement Interviews – Compiling Local History. Ongoing activity to interview family, neighbors or friends. Discussion session to share stories and experiences. Jan. 22, 2-3:30 p.m. at Chelsea District Library. Sponsored by the Chelsea Human Rights Commission.
Activism Movie: Berkeley in the Sixties. Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at Dancey House Theater at United Methodist Retirement Center (CRC). Sponsored by the UMRC Diversity Plus Group.
Movie about Dr. King and discussion on discrimination at St. Louis Center Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. Discussion led by students from Chelsea High School Key Club (Kiwanis Service Club) and Interact (Rotary Service Club).
Washtenaw Reads – Join in the reading of Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Discussions and author events to be held in February. Sponsored by the Chelsea District Library. Extra copies for community use donated to the library by One World One Family. www.washtenawreads.org
Collection for Faith in Action – organized by Orchid Orthopedics.
For a complete list and more information, please go to www.owofchelsea.org.
