On most school holidays, it isn't that uncommon to find kids watching TV, playing video games, or catching up on some school work. But beginning in 2008, resident Linda Katz helped create an event that made Martin Luther King Jr. Day a day on, rather day a day off, for the community. Using one of MLK's famous quotes, " life's most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?" as a springboard, Katz created a day dedicated to community service.
This year, Margie Wiggin oversaw the planning of the day, and made some key changes. In years past , the majority of the service projects were held in the middle school gym. But this year, Wiggin wanted everyone to actually be out in the community. From serving up some hot food to seniors at the senior housing , to putting together goodie bags containing words of inspiration at the CAA that were given to women at Serenity House treatment center, as well as a blood drive, the day exemplified King's selfless message.
King's message of helping others, was part of his tireless fight to end racial injustice. To expand upon that subject, Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Landman gave a moving speech drawing parallels to his parents, who were Holocaust escapees, and the Civil Rights Movement, and how each shaped him as a person.
Ultimately, Landman challenged everyone to find a cause that they are passionate about and take a proactive stance.
To see excerpts from Landman's speech and some scenes from Hopkinton's MLK Day of Giving Back, watch the HCAM News video below.
