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A historic Black male figure speaks while extending his hand, with graphic elements behind him and text reading “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Days of Service” alongside an illustrated American flag.

MLK Days of Service

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2026 Recap

Thank you to our volunteers who participated in the 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Days of Service series of volunteer events, which took place January 15-19!

This year, volunteers:

Deep cleaned the dining room and lobby of the Senior Center
Crafted 70 valentines to distribute to residents of Family Promise of Tualatin Valley
Made over 250 buttons and decorations to celebrate 2026 Disability Pride Month at the Library
Sorted about 1500 pounds of linens and made 30 Welcome Home Kits for Community Warehouse clients
Made a dozen posters for Random Acts of Kindness Week with Tigard Turns the Tide at the Library
Assembled180 sack lunches for distribution through Just Compassion, St. Anthony Catholic Church, and the Senior Center at Akwaba Foods Kitchen

About MLK Days of Service

Each year, the City of Tigard coordinates a series of volunteer activities open to all community members to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2026, we had six events, plus one flexible volunteer opportunity that could be done on your schedule where you live.

Email Alex Richardson, Management Analyst, at alex.richardson@tigard-or.gov with any questions.

External Opportunities

Still looking for a way to contribute? Please peruse this list of select local nonprofit organizations with varied volunteer opportunities.

Flyer for peer-run mental health center with Comfort Zone
Organize and pack up food with Packed with Pride
Build a Restart Kit with Refugee Care Collective
Remove invasive species or restore a habitat with Tualatin Riverkeepers
Volunteer at an event or support veterans with Easter Seals Tigard
Increase awareness of programs for Pacific Refugee Support Group

What Should I Know About MLK?

Martin Luther King Day is observed the third Monday of January each year.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was an influential civil rights leader — best known for his work on racial equality and ending racial segregation in the United States. His life and achievements are remembered and celebrated on this day.

Did You Know?

MLK-Jr The concept of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday was promoted by labor unions. After King’s death, U.S. Representative John Conyers and U.S. Senator Edward Brooke introduced a bill in Congress to make King’s birthday a national holiday. The bill first came to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1979; however, it fell five votes short of the number needed for passage. At the time, only two other figures had national holidays honoring them: George Washington and Christopher Columbus.

President Reagan originally opposed the holiday, citing cost concerns. But on November 2, 1983, Reagan signed a bill, proposed by Representative Katie Hall, to create a federal holiday honoring King. The bill had passed the Senate by a count of 78 to 22, and the House of Representatives by 338 to 90. The holiday was observed for the first time on January 20, 1986. It’s observed on the third Monday of January rather than directly on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday because it follows the guidelines of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.