MONDAY JANUARY 6, 2025 - FRIDAY JANUARY 31, 2025

·         Topeka Public Schools-USD #501 in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. will be collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items for community food banks. Donation bins will be placed in all Topeka Public Schools’ buildings.

MONDAY JANUARY 13, 2025 - FRIDAU JANUARY 17, 2025

·         Members of Living the Dream, Inc. and community volunteers will be storytelling throughout this week about the life and legacy of Dr. King to various Topeka area pre-school students.

·         Throughout this week, members of Living the Dream, Inc. will be delivering personal care baskets to select Topeka area senior centers in recognition of elderly citizens.

TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025

·         The 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poetry Competition for students in grades fifth through twelfth will be held at 6:00 pm at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium, 1515 SW 10th Street. Light refreshments will be served.

THURSDAY JANUARY 16, 2025

·         The traditional march around the Kansas Statehouse starts at 11:30 am from the south doors of the Kansas Capitol. The march will be led by Governor Laura Kelly, legislators, and members of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission. The march will culminate with Governor Kelly signing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. proclamation in the first floor rotunda at 12:00 noon.  The keynote speaker is Ms. Donna Rae Pearson, Museum Curator at the Kansas Museum of History.      

SATURDAY JANUARY 18, 2025

·         The Scholarship and Awards Banquet will be held at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, Regency Ballroom, 420 SE Sixth Street. The doors open at 5:30 pm and the program starts at 6:30 pm. Mr. Ernest Thomas, an actor and community activist is the guest speaker. Graduating high school senior scholarship winners and community awards recipients will be recognized.

SUNDAY JANUARY 19, 2025

·         The Topeka Ministers MLK Celebration in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. is hosting a community worship service at 6:00 pm at the Love Fellowship Church, 2636 SE Minnesota Avenue, Rev. Marcus Clark, Pastor. The guest speaker is Rev. Delmar White, Pastor of the New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Musical selections will be provided by the New Mount Zion Church Choir, Love Fellowship Praise Team and the Parker Sisters.

MONDAY JANUARY 20, 2025

·         The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park is hosting the Student Recognition Awards program in the Auditorium. The first, second, and third place winners of the MLK Art, Essay, and Poetry Competitions will be recognized at 10:30 am. The winning student artwork will be on display. Special musical selections will be provided by the Topeka High School Madrigal Singers.

·         “Whose Dream Is It?” and the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. is sponsoring its 31st Annual Community MLK Celebration and Chili and Soup Dinner at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 SE Indiana Avenue, Rev. Delmar White, Pastor. The free dinner starts at 5:30 pm followed by the program at 7:00 pm. LT Colonel Brian Gregory of the Kansas National Guard is the keynote speaker. Music will be provided by LaQuanda Jacobs, the Westside Christian Church Bell Ringers, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Choir and the New Hope and Love Church Praise Team.  The Washburn Rural High School ROTC Color Guard will be posting the flags. Representation will also be provided by the Jewish, Mennonite, Baha’i, and Islamic faith community.  

·         The Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, Inc. is hosting a King Holiday National Day of Service” in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. Volunteers will be sorting clothing and serving meals. Volunteers should check in at the Shelter Building located at 600 N. Kansas Avenue. All volunteers must be thirteen years of age or older unless accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and bring canned goods or peanut butter. To register for the various shifts, please go online to:

   https://topeka-rescue-mission.vomo.org/opportunity/living-the-dream-volunteers

TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2025

·         The Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, Inc. is continuing its “MLK Day of Service” in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. Volunteers will be sorting clothing and serving meals.  Volunteers should check in at the Shelter Building located at 600 N. Kansas Avenue. All volunteers must be thirteen years of age or older unless accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and bring canned goods or peanut butter. To register for the various shifts, go online to:    

                  https://topeka-rescue-mission.vomo.org/opportunity/living-the-dream-volunteers.