MLK Days of Service 2026
Building Beloved Community, Together.
Join us for two days of service, learning, and connection inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of Beloved Community.
Sunday, January 18 & Monday, January 19
Building Beloved Community means showing up, serving, and caring together. Join us and make your life impactful.
There are many ways to be involved:
- Participate in one of our cornerstone projects
- Volunteer to support the events
- Give blood to save lives
- Donate to support the mission
- Drop-off supplies to help new parents
- Sponsor social impact initiatives
Participate In A Cornerstone Project
Join us for one or more of the events below. In addition to participating in the programming below, there are also volunteer opportunities to support the days’ event
Sunday January 18, 2026
Blood Drive | 9:00 am–3:00 pm
Give the gift of life: the blood you give will save the lives of three people.
Monday, January 19, 2026
Participant fees helps to offset the cost of supplies and materials for each event.
Community Insight Sponsorship Breakfast | 8:00–9:00 am
For our sponsors: Gather with community leaders; proceeds fund year-round service.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities
Learning Together Playdate | 10:00–11:00 am | $6
For families with children: Songs and play for families with children under 5.
Meal-Packing Project | 10:00–11:00 am | $18
Open to all: Pack meals for those in need.
Older Adult Project | 1:00–2:00 pm | $6
For adults 60+: Assemble care kits for new parents in the Bronx.
Want to bring a group? Have other questions?
Email Alexandra Nyashina
"This is one of the goals of the Jewish way of living... to feel the hidden love and wisdom in all things."
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Volunteer Opportunities
We need your help behind the scenes too!
There are volunteer shifts on Sunday 7:00 am–4:00 pm and on Monday 6:30 am–2:30 pm to support the days’ programming. Responsibilities include:
- Setup
- Breakdown
- Check-in
- Greeters and Guides
- Kit distribution
Each shift is approximately 90 minutes. Volunteers will need to attend a mandatory training the week before the event.
If you have questions about volunteering or would like to coordinate community service hours for a group, please contact Alexandra Nyashina at anyashina@riverdaley.org.
“I can confidently say the Riverdale Y has been my greatest experience in the last two years.”
– Hamna K.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Care Kit Collection Drive
Join together to take care of parents in need in The Bronx.
We are collecting supplies for care kits to give to new parents in need in the Bronx. You can drop off the following new and unopened supplies in the lobby from December 16 to January 16:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
"Love is creative and redemptive... builds up and unites. The aftermath of love is reconciliation and creation of the beloved community."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King laid out six steps for nonviolent social change. Our programming throughout the days of service are inspired by each of those steps.
Information Gathering
Attend the Sponsorship Breakfast and get to know the community partners who support our work
For sponsors only, learn about the most urgent needs within Riverdale Y community.
Education
Participate in the Learning Together playdate
Engage in story and song that introduce Dr. King’s vision in an age appropriate way for children five and younger.
Personal Commitment
Volunteer to be part of the set up, break down,
and support teams
Build a beloved community through hands-on support.
Discussion / Negotiation
Visit the Conversation Corner
Reflect on service and consider what it means for your role in community life.
Direct Action
Pack meals for those in need
Participate in the work that addresses global hunger.
Reconciliation
Pack care kits for families in need across the Bronx
For older adults only. Support healing and connection across generations.
