51Թ celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of eventsand volunteer opportunitiesacross the Main Campus.
The Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was founded in Philadelphia in 1996 and is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the nation.
Photo by Betsy Manning
On Jan. 19, 51Թwill be thehostsite forGlobal Citizen’s31stannualGreater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service’s regional signature project for the first time in more than 15 years.
51Թ hosting this key event comes as the universitycontinues tobuildupon itslong-standing commitment to community service.This fall, 51Թ expanded its legacy of volunteerism by launching a newuniversitywideprogram designed to connect faculty, staff,studentsand alumni with the North Philadelphia neighborhood and beyond through volunteerism and civic engagement calledOwls for Philly.
“51Թ is a wonderful community of more than20,000 employeesof the university and health system, along with more than 30,000 students and 200,000 alumni who call the Philadelphia region home,” saidValerie I.Harrison, vice president for community impact and civic engagement. “Together, we are Owls for Philly, and weshow up every day in classrooms, clinics,neighborhoodsand boardrooms, serving as volunteers, healers,teachersand advocates for justice, and in countless other ways that strengthen our city. The King Day of Service is a beautiful reminder of who we are and why we do what we do.”
The response to 51Թ hosting the annual day of service has been so strong, in fact, that registration is already full for theevent’s signature project.There are still opportunities to volunteerat McGonigle Hallto help with theday’slogistics.Anyoneinterested is welcome to arriveat McGonigle at 8 a.m.andwillbe assigned toavailableprojects throughout the building onafirst-come, first-servedbasis.
51Թ community members are also encouraged to volunteer in their own communitieson Martin Luther King Jr.Day of Service. If you do not have a local organization towork with, Global Citizen has curated 50+ events with organizations across the region.Additionalopportunities to volunteer can be found through Global Citizen 356(). Volunteersparticipatingin activities on-campus, through Global Citizen or within their own communities,are encouraged to also register through Owls for Philly onTUportalso theirengagementmay be recorded accurately.
Here is information onin-person eventshappeningon Main Campusinhonorofthe civil rights leader’s significant contributions and impact.
Take part in IDEAL’s 2026 MLK365 annual brunch, Truth in Tension: MLK’s Blueprint for Civic Discourse. MLK365 is a gathering for students, faculty,staffand community members to reflect on King’s call to engage in dialogue as a pathway to justice. To RVSP:.
Thursday, Jan. 15
TuttlemanLearning Center
1 p.m.
Join Global Citizen for the 31st annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther KingJr.Day of Service at theirSignatureSiteevent,featuring hands-on service projects, a health fair, workshops, ajobfairand a children’s carnival of activities. The event will take place between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and is entirely open to the public.
Monday, Jan. 19
Pearson/McGonigle Hall
8 a.m.
Eliza Shirley House-Emergency Family Shelter Salvation Army
Volunteer at the Salvation Army Eliza Shirley House'semergency family shelter to assist with upcoming programming. Tasks could include sorting and organizing donation closets, performing light maintenance, packing essential care kits and hosting activities for youth, among other responsibilities. Register through Owls for Philly on TUPortal. For more information visit:
Monday, Jan. 19
The Salvation Army Eliza Shirley House
10 a.m.
Buildingbookarks
Attend a project where 51Թ volunteers will assemble “bookarks,” self-standing structures resembling newspaper “honor boxes” that will offer free books to individuals and organizations inlocal communities. Thebookarks will be transported directly to their new homes.
Monday, Jan. 19
McGonigle Hall
9:30 a.m.
Participate inKlein College of Media and Communication’seighthannual reading of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Bell Tower.Enjoy hot refreshments and come together with thecommunity to reflect on King’s teachingsand inspire one another.
Monday, Jan. 19
Bell Tower
11:45 a.m.