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2021 MLK Day of Service

Athenians are invited to honor Dr. King's legacy at the 19th Annual Athens-Clarke County Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 18, 2021.

In 1994, Congress made the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday an official day of service. Athens-Clarke County is one of the thousands of cities across the United States that decides to make the holiday "A Day On and Not a Day Off.”

More than 20 different community organizations and schools will host volunteer service projects for the Day of Service, including Acceptance Recovery Center, Athens Land Trust, Books for Keeps, Friends of Brooklyn Cemetery, Nuci’s Space, Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission, Project Safe, and more. A variety of daytime shifts are available for volunteers of all ages.

All CDC guidelines will be followed to limit the transmission of COVID-19. All volunteers must wear face coverings and social distance at all times.

Although the Steering Committee will not host an in-person kickoff event on the morning of MLK Day, a special virtual celebration will be emailed to Day of Service registrants.

In light of COVID-19, a special “choose your own adventure” option has been added for those not comfortable volunteering in person and with a group. Those individuals may register and be a part of the MLK Day of Service by registering and documenting their service on the community registration site.

Volunteer online registration is currently underway and ends January 12, 2021. There will be no walk-up/day-of registration this year. All volunteers must pre-register to participate.

For more information, please visit www.accgov.com/mlkday or call 706-613-3440, ext. 6717

Winners in Lights

The inaugural Light up Athens is a wrap! Thank you to the many downtown businesses who participated in this illuminating event!

The winners are...

Best Use of Lights: ACCGov Water Conservation Office/Classic City Rollergirls
Mayor's Award (Best Overall): Live Wire Athens
Most Original: Flicker Theater & Bar
People's Choice: Classic City Cycling

A big "thank you" to all the businesses and organizations who made it all possible - business owners who decorated downtown so festively, ACCGov staff who lit up downtown and transformed City Hall into a magical wonderland, and everyone who came out to celebrate the season. Please take a moment and view a selection of photographs from the event.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Virtual Leisure Services

Life may look different these days, but the Leisure Services Department staff is dedicated to serving the Athens community by bringing engaging and educational programming to the public.

Now that schools are back in session, add to the school day by incorporating a Virtual Leisure Services program.

Art, dance, music, nature, sports, theatre, trails, zoo animals and much more are just a couple of clicks away!

There are a variety of free programs presented by staff from across the department! Stay active and engaged at home.

Bring One for the Chipper!

Be part of this annual Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree-cycling program scheduled for Saturday, January 9, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Athenians may take an uncovered tree to one of the following locations and receive a free tree seedling: Chase Street Elementary School, Clarke Middle School, Cofer's Home and Garden Showplace, and Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Roll offs we be available from December 23 to January 14 at Cofer’s Home and Garden Showplace, Georgia Square Mall Recycling Drop Site, and the ACCGov Tag Office.

Undecorated trees put out for leaf and limb will be recycled. Please check the Leaf & Limb schedule to determine the pick-up schedule for one's zone. Residents may drop off live, undecorated Christmas trees at the ACCGov Landfill for recycling free of charge.

For more information, please call Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful at 706-613-3501, ext 7872 or email stacy.smith@accgov.com..

Park and Facility Update

All Department parks and facilities continue to operate .All Department parks and facilities continue to operate under restricted use and limited public access. The following restrictions are in effect for the immediate future:

• Athletic fields and gymnasiums are open. Athletic leagues can participate in internal scrimmages (no out of county teams can participate).

• Basketball, pickleball, tennis, and volleyball courts as well as playgrounds are open. Dog park access is limited. Bear Hollow Zoo is open.

• Morton Theatre remains closed.

Face covers must be worn at all parks and facilities. People are reminded to continue to limit close contact, practice physical distancing measures, wash or sanitize hands frequently, and follow group gathering and other guidelines per the governor's statewide executive orders.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800.