Give Back on MLK Day

Monday marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and several cities and counties, including Santa Cruz County, have called for to commemorate the civil rights leader’s life.

Patch has compiled a list of events planned for the MLK weekend.

Watsonville Senior Center Clean Up
When/Where: Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; , 114 East 5th St., Watsonville
Meals on Wheels partners with Girls for A Change to re-paint and clean the entranceway of the Watsonville Senior Center. Public volunteers are welcome to join the professional painting crew.
Cost: Free

Community Compost Day at the Homeless Garden Project
When/Where: Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Shaffer Rd., Santa Cruz
Take a tour of the Natural Bridges Farm, churn the compost, weed, clear out beds for new crops, and participate in the overall clean up of this bountiful three-acre farm.
Cost: Free

Graffiti Removal Paint Out
When/Where: Monday, 9 a.m. to noon; Sir Froggy’s Pub, 4771 Soquel Dr., Soquel
Cover up the tagging sprawled on Bargetto Bridge at Wharf Road. The Graffiti Removal Project will meet volunteers at Sir Froggy’s Pub before heading out.
Cost: Free

Community Sing Along
When/Where: Saturday, 8-10 p.m.; 1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto
The Peninsula Peace and Justice Center corrals Folk This! to lead songs from the civil rights, labor, and peace movements in celebration of the birthday and life of Dr. King.
Cost: Free

Community Clean Up
When/Where: Monday, 12:30-2 p.m.; Day Worker Center, 113 Escuela Ave., Mountain View
To honor Dr. King’s vision of serving communities, the Day Worker Center of Mountain View is organizing residents to pick up trash and beautify the community. Volunteers are needed.
Cost: Free.

Family Service Day
When/Where: Monday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Lytton Plaza, University Ave. and Emerson St., Palo Alto
Youth Community Service teams up with the City of Palo Alto and other organizations to host a day of service projects, live music, and open mic performances featuring community artists.
Cost: Free

Freedom Train Ride
When/Where: Monday, 9-11 a.m.; Diridon Station, 65 Cahill St., San Jose
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley commemorates the distance walked during the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. with a special Caltrain ride. Traveling from Diridon Station to San Francisco, the train makes stops in Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and San Mateo.
Cost: $10 for a roundtrip ticket. No discount for seniors or children.

Community Mitzvah Day
When/Where: Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oshmann Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
The OFJCC is calling for volunteers to participate in a day of Tikkun Olam, or “repair of the world.” Small groups will work on projects addressing issues such as poverty, hunger, and housing and homelessness.
Cost: Free

Assemblymember Paul Fong's Day of Service
When/Where: Monday, Jan. 16, Ulistac Natural Area 4901 Lick Mill Boulevard, Santa Clara
Join Assemblymember Paul Fong in this year's MLK Day of Service by helping clean up Ulistac Natural Area, a city park in the city of Santa Clara. This opportunity to give back to the community will only take a few hours. The group will meet at the parking lot across the street from Ulistac Natural Area at 9:00 a.m. to pick up trash. Please prepare to get dirty and wear work gloves. Snacks and water will be provided.
Cost: Free. RSVP here.