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Alex Richardson
971-288-6653
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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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January 15-19, 2026

MLK Weekend of Service is now MLK Days of Service as we expand opportunities beyond the holiday weekend! 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 have six events, plus one flexible volunteer opportunity that can be done on your schedule where you live. Please visit our volunteer platform to learn about and register for each event or click into the calendar event tiles.

REGISTER HERE - you must first sign up for a free account on the City of Tigard's volunteer platform, Get Connected by Galaxy Digital.

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

Other Opportunities

Don't see a volunteer activity that piques your interest? Want to look into further options before, during, or after MLK weekend? We've collected a list of other selected 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 — on January 19 in 2026.

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.