For McKenya Dilworth-Smith, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day on, not a day off.
“It’s a day of service,” said Dilworth-Smith, executive director of Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse. “We have people of all ages here talking about the significance of Martin Luther King and his service.”
Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse hosted its 18th annual community summit at Marshall Gardner Center for the Arts in Gary’s Miller neighborhood. The community summit, which is held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, focuses on creating care packages for the local homeless population.
Care packages, which include socks, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and first aid kits, are donated to Brother’s Keeper in Gary, Dilworth-Smith said. Last year, volunteers made 750 care packages, but she anticipated they’d finish 1,000 this year.
Each care package also included an inspirational quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”
Dilworth-Smith likes the event because it unites people in the community, she said. Members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority and members of Gary’s chapter of Jack and Jill of America participated in Monday’s community service event.
Manisha Winston, member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, said it was her first year volunteering at Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse’s community summit. Winston, who’s from Gary, said she enjoys giving back to her community when she can.
“I think it’s amazing to give back when you can,” Winston said.
Eighteen-year-old Ellis Dumas IV, president of Jack and Jill’s youth team chapter, said it’s uplifting to see other teens and children giving back to the community.
“Most people think of it as a federal holiday or a day off from school,” Dumas said, “but we think of it as a day of work and a day to give back and continue the legacy set before us.”
During the community service event, Dumas helped put bags together. He also volunteered with his parents, Jervai and Ellis Dumas III, at the event.
Ellis Dumas IV said he wants everyone to understand the significance of Martin Luther King, Jr. and why volunteering is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.
“I’m very honored and happy to be here,” he said. “I’m so happy to be here and continue the legacy that others have left for us. It’s really a great honor and a great privilege to be able to serve others and serve our community.”
Jervai Dumas is the correspondent secretary and community service chair of Jack and Jill of America’s Gary chapter. The group’s focus is to help the community’s children have opportunities they might not otherwise have, Dumas said.
The group brought children as young as six years old to help with the community service event.
Jervai Dumas also wanted children to understand the significance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. She believes the best way to teach children is through community service.
“We are preparing the leaders of tomorrow today,” Jervai Dumas said. “It starts with understanding service because it’s the foundation of everything that we do as a community.”
