Dr. King believed that “everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” In these challenging times, serving our communities is both an act of resistance and an act of hope. As our nation faces rising threats to civil rights, increases in racist attacks, and the erosion of protections Dr. King fought so hard to secure, his call to service is more urgent than ever.
In 2019, President Obama said:
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
This message is as important now as it was more than 60 years ago. Dr. King taught us that if we work together—if folks of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life find common ground—we can bend the arc of the moral universe and change history.
I ask you to make a commitment to look at your community and find something you could do to make a difference. There’s no better time to take action than by turning Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day into a day of service.
Let’s honor the legacy of one of history’s greatest changemakers together—by taking steps to make a positive collective impact on the world.
Whether you’re volunteering at a food bank, cleaning up a local park, mentoring youth, supporting a community organization, or standing up for those whose rights are under attack, every act of service makes a difference. If you’re not sure where to start, you can participate in one of of the opportunities or events from around the region listed below.
Columbia River Gorge
- The Dalles, Oregon. The 2026 MLK Day of Service (January 19) focuses on reflection, community action, and supporting immigrants, with events like a rally and donation drive for families impacted by ICE, local cleanups via SOLVE Oregon and AmeriCorps, and a community celebration in nearby Hood River with music and dinner, emphasizing justice and unity. City offices are closed, encouraging residents to find local ways to serve and honor Dr. King’s legacy.
- Hood River, Oregon. Hope is in Our Hands MLK Celebration event at Riverside Community Church (317 State Street Hood River, OR). The event will feature gospel singer Cynta Butts who will lead the Gorge Freedom Choir, joined by pianist Tim Mayer, with special music from Arturo Leyva. The theme for this year’s event, “Hope is in Our Hands,” emphasizes the importance of unified action in a time of great distress and upheaval when justice is under attack. The event begins at 3 p.m. with a panel and audience discussion that will include members of Black in the Gorge, the Hood River Latino Network, and other community leaders. All who seek to be allies in the struggle for justice are welcome to this interactive event. The celebration in music and word featuring Butts will begin at 5 p.m. and will offer consecutive Spanish interpretation. A dinner at 6:30 p.m. will feature jambalaya and cornbread. There is no charge for the dinner or event, though donations will be gratefully accepted.
Warm Springs Reservation
- MLK Day of Service at Sequalitchew Creek. Monday, January 19th: Celebrate MLK Day of Service with us at Sequalitchew Creek. Call 541-777-2900 for more information.
Yakama Reservation
- The annual MLK Jr. Toppenish Peace March: Participants will gather at the O’Reilly parking lot, 302 W. First Ave. Suite 200, for the kickoff. After the 10 a.m. welcome and kickoff, a march will start at 10:30 a.m. to Toppenish Middle School, 104 Goldendale Ave. Following the march, “Voices of Unity” will feature a motivational speaker, presentations and performances at the middle school starting at 11:15 a.m. Bus transportation back to the O’Reilly parking lot will be available after the event.
- The Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and program in Yakima: Peace walk participants will gather, starting at 11:30 a.m., at North Fifth Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Yakima. The walk will start at noon, heading to the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St., where the celebration will begin at 1 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Tyler Monk, founder of The Underdog Mentality, a motivational speaker and storyteller focused on empowering individuals to unlock their potential.
Umatilla Reservation
- We’d love to have you as part of our Volunteer day at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. Each year we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. by giving back to the community. We try to make the day as fun as possible, and we knock out all the work we have to do in just two hours. A large group makes things even MORE fun, so bring a friend and get ready to clean, paint, and spiff up the building.
WHEN: Monday, January 19, 9:30 AM – 12 PM
WHERE: Pendleton Center for the Arts
WHAT: Spend two hours helping out then enjoy a free catered taco bar* with us.
*Courtesy of Jill and Mike Thorne – thank you!
Nez Perce Reservation
- Lewiston/Clarkston Events (2026):
Event: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Event.
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026.
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Location: YWCA of Lewiston-Clarkston, 300 Main Street.
Details: Free, family-friendly, no registration needed, featuring reflection on civil rights, unity, and service.
Portland metro area:
- 12TH ANNUAL RECLAIM MLK MARCH – Monday, January 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. https://www.dontshootpdx.org/community-events/12th-annual-reclaim-mlk-march
- What Does the Dream Demand Now? (Open to the public) Join us for the keynote conversation of MLK Day ON 2026. In dialogue with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”speech (shared the night before through the Interfaith Vigil of student readings), this panel invites our community to ask: What stories do we tell about freedom, community, solidarity, and justice—and what stories must we tell differently now? Monday, January 19 2026 at 3:00 PM PST. https://up.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11964321