MLK Day of Service at Lehigh University
The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a day each year when individuals across the country perform acts of service to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream.
In accordance with Lehigh University's commitment to inclusion & belonging, and in alignment with our Principles of our Equitable Community, the MLK Day of Service has been designated as an official university-sponsored program. The federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday is on Monday January 20, which is also the first day of classes for the Spring semester. To minimize disruption to the schedule, we will be recognizing the Day of Service early on Friday January 16, 2026. This page will be updated with opportunities as the Day of Service 2026 approaches.
Opportunities:
Volunteer Locally:
Additional Events on 1/23/2026:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee Annual MLK Breakfast, 9:00-10:30 AM. Space will be limited; an invitation with registration information will be coming in mid-December.
Thank you to all who joined the Day of Service in 2025. A sampling of photos is below.
Staff volunteers sort winter accessories for the closet at community school partner Donegan Elementary School. Photo: Rosa Carides-Hof
President Helble addresses attendees at the MLK Celebration Committee breakfast held on January 24, 2025. Photo: Hillary Kwiatek
Staff members from the Provost’s Office, LU Facilities and the Office for Innovation in Education pose outside of the Lehigh Humane Society, where they volunteered for the second year. Photo: Jessica Jackson
Imam Tariq Ameer, Associate Chaplain and Director of Muslim Student Life, gives remarks to participants before the MLK Celebration Committee Unity Walk on January 24, 2025. Photo: Hillary Kwiatek