FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - South Florida is participating in a day of service while honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in different ways.
In Fort Lauderdale, YMCA volunteers gathered early Monday morning to go out and conduct a trash pick up event in the community.
The group participated in Fort Lauderdale United Day where volunteers took King’s words about service and put them to use.
“We’re just walking around, picking up trash that we see on city property and just hoping to beautify the community a little bit,” said volunteer Alyssa Mendez.
“It makes me feel happy,” one little boy said. “I actually enjoy doing this.”
The City of Miramar also joined in the celebration with a parade.
Many members of the community joined in on the caravan or came out to enjoy it.
“It’s a day of unity for everybody,” one woman said. “That’s what it means to me.”
The city of Miami Gardens took part in MLK Day of Service by giving back in a different way, providing people with critical pandemic-related supplies.
“Today we are providing PPE to the residents in our community,” said Miami Gardens councilman Robert Stephens.
World Central Kitchen and The Embrace Girls Foundation partnered with Soul Town BBQ to hand out hot meals to those in need.
“They really know that each little bit makes a difference, and they feel part of something good, something to change and make the world better,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
In addition, the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project did its annual breakfast virtually this year.
Some special speakers were invited, including Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris.
“Believe in yourself every day. Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something, that you can’t achieve your dreams,” Harris said.
At the Fort Lauderdale clean-up event, volunteers picked up more than 700 pounds of trash.
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