The city and school districts of Berkley, Clawson, and Royal Oak braved negative temps to unite and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day. The joint event, titled "A Day On, Not a Day Off," was a meaningful celebration of unity, learning, and community service that took place on Monday, January 15.
The day kicked off at 8:30 AM with a donation drive at Royal Oak Middle School. Attendees were invited to contribute to the community's well-being by participating in a range of activities. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast, create signs to honor Dr. King, and engage in volunteer services and hands-on activities. These projects set the tone for a day dedicated to fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose. Activities included donation sorting, blanket making, crafting hygiene kits for those in need, and creating cards for educators.
A short video produced by students featuring students from all three participating schools answering what service means to them was shown as a kick-off to the event.
Due to the cold temps, the Freedom Walk was canceled, but all volunteers were invited to stay inside and work on service projects instead.
The generosity of the community was directed towards supporting groups such as Cass Community Social Services, Judson Center, Redford Brightmoor Initiative, Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, and Teen Clean Closet. As we reflect on this memorable occasion, let us carry forward the spirit of MLK Day in our daily lives, embodying the principles of unity, service, and community that define the vision and mission of Royal Oak Schools.
You can watch the program along with highlights of the day with this link.