Athens MLK Day of Service

Thank you to all of the volunteers who participated in the 2023 Athens MLK Day of Service!

Wrap-up numbers will be posted here soon.

The Athens MLK Day of Service is an annual celebration in support of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and commitment to service. In 1994, Congress made the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday an official day of service. Athens, Georgia is one of the thousands of cities across the United States that decided to make this "A Day On and Not a Day Off."

2023 Project Sites

  • Acceptance Recovery Center
  • ACCGov Animal Services
  • ACCGov Sustainability Office
  • Athens Area Diaper Bank
  • Athens Area Homeless Shelter
  • Athens Area Humane Society
  • Athens Area Teacher Reuse Store
  • Athens Community Council on Aging
  • Athens Community Tree Council
  • Athens Land Trust
  • Barrow Elementary School
  • Books for Keeps
  • Chapelwood United Methodist Church
  • Chase Street Elementary School
  • Family Promise of Athens
  • Fowler Drive Elementary School
  • Friends of Advantage Behavioral Health
  • Friends of Brooklyn Cemetery
  • Friends of St. James Baptist Church
  • H. B. Stroud Elementary School
  • Hands On Historic Athens
  • J. J. Harris Elementary School
  • Joy Village School
  • Nuci's Space
  • Project Safe
  • UGA Founders Memorial Garden
MLK Banner 2016
Project Safe MLK Day 2018

Volunteer Registration

Volunteer Registration has closed for 2022. Limited day-of volunteer registration will be available at the Kickoff Event at Clarke Central High School (more details below). All day-of volunteers will be sent to Brooklyn Cemetery. Project sites will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on MLK Day.

Kickoff Celebration

The annual MLK Day of Service kickoff will take place Monday, January 16, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. at the Clarke Central High School gym. Volunteers will enjoy morning refreshments, a performance by local choral group Athens Voices of Truth, and inspirational words by keynote speaker Rev. James Kendrick of East Friendship Baptist Church. The first 400 attendees will receive a t-shirt and light refreshments.

2019 Kickoff
West Broad MLK Day 2018

Athens MLK Day of Service Planning Partners

Athens-Clarke County Housing and Community Development •  Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services  •  Athens-Clarke County Inclusion Office  •  Athens-Clarke County Police Department  •  Athens-Clarke County Public Information Office  •  Athens Land Trust  •   Clarke County School District   •    Historic Athens  •   Hull Firm, LLC  •  Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful  •  Piedmont Athens Regional  •  St. Mary's Hospice  •  UGA Office of Service-Learning  •  United Way of Northeast Georgia

2023 Sponsors

Piedmont Athens Regional  •   Better Communities Collaborative  • Golden Pantry •  Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department  •  Athens-Clarke County Mayor  •  Athens Housing Authority  •  Heyward Allen Cadillac, GMC, Buick, Toyota •  Milton Gresham, Jr. (aka DJ Tic )  •  Best Western of Athens  •  McDonald's (Broad Street)  •  Big City Bread Cafe  •  Kroger  •   DAP Athens - Graphics + Printing + Signage  •  Dr. Cshanyse Allen and Innovative Healthcare Institute  •  Golden Pantry

MLK aerial crop
Athens Area Homeless Shelter MLK Day Volunteers 2019

Social Media

Stay connected with us! Follow the Athens MLK Day of Service on Facebook and Instagram.

Other MLK Day Events

2023 MLK Day Freedom Breakfast

2023 MLK Day Parade and Music Festival

Monday, January 16 from noon to 5:00 PM. The music fest portion begins at noon, with the parade at 3:00 PM.