Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan. 19, and for those who want to turn a day off into a day of volunteerism, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona can help.
“It is great to see the growing awareness that Martin Luther King Day is the one federally recognized day of service with the message to the community that lots of us have the day off, but by using that day off to give back, we all win because we get more people engaged in the great work of volunteering,” said Melissa D’Auria, United Way of Tucson's vice president and chief advancement officer.
Whether you choose to donate a few hours or an entire day, your gift makes a difference in the community. Last year in Tucson, 140 volunteers donated 1,003 hours with an impact of more than $34,000 during the MLK Jr. Day of Service. This year, volunteer options include painting and landscaping at the Tucson Community School; pulling buffelgrass near the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; clean-up and refresh of the playground and sport court at the Dunbar Pavilion; mural prep for an exterior wall of the Drawing Studio; assembly of notes and care packages for caregivers; and much more.
D’Auria said that the projects are driven by interest from the community.
A participant in the 2020 MLK march in Tucson carries an image of the civil rights leader. United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona can help find ways to volunteer.
“The growth of this event has really happened organically," she said. "We look to the community to ask, ‘What do you want to do?’ It is one thing to have an event and invite people and hope they come participate, but with these projects, we are meeting demands in the community and that feels really good. It helps us cater the volunteer opportunities to what folks are looking for."
Additionally, D’Auria emphasized that the upcoming Day of Service offers opportunities for all ages — including families — as well as a Bare Necessities Drive to benefit the Singletons, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting single-parent families battling cancer by providing strength, hope and resources. Donations of laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, hygiene items and other essential items can be dropped from 8:30 a.m to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. on Friday at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, 330 N. Commerce Park Loop.
“Some people like to work and get their hands dirty and others like to contribute to a drive and collect items for populations that have needs in the community. It all makes a difference,” D’Auria said.
Go to https://unitedwaytucson.org/event/mlk-day-of-service/ for more information, or to register to volunteer. You can also call 520-903-9000 and ask for the volunteer coordinator.
Prospective volunteers interested in additional service can consider the United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation and e-filing services to those with low to moderate incomes (up to $79,000 annually).
As United Way’s largest ongoing volunteer project, it offers opportunities for interpreters, intake, tax preparers, opportunities, quality reviewers and more. Go to https://unitedwaytucson.org/volunteer/ for more information.
