Woonsocket Celebrates Martin Luther King's Legacy This Weekend

The MLK Community Committee, which consists of parishioners from St. James Baptist Church and members of several community-based non-profits, is hosting a weekend full of events to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King starting Friday.

The late civil rights leader's birthday (Jan. 15) will be celebrated with a national holiday Monday, which President Barack Obama has declared a National Day of Service – a "day on, not a day off." The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve,  calling for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to the country's most pressing problems, according to mlkday.gov.

Friday, Jan. 18:  J.W. Hinson Scholarship Banquet

6:30 p.m., Savini's Restaurant, 476 Rathbun St., Keynote Speaker:  Mr. Ray "Smiling Oak". Tickets: Adults, $25, Children under 12, $10. Call George Nasuti at 767-4754 to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Jan. 19: Helping Hands Day of Service,

12 p.m. - Volunteer Assignments, Tyra Club, 119 West St.  

1 - 5 p.m. - Service Projects: Three Indoor Murals designed by local Artists and a cleaning project at Coleman Elementary School  

5:30 p.m. - Community Dinner for volunteers, Tyra Club This event has been generously underwritten by the Citizens Bank Foundation

Sunday, Jan. 20: MLK Celebration and Worship Service 

4 p.m. - St. James Baptist Church, 340 South Main St. with Guest Preacher Rev. Vincent L. Thompson of Community Baptist Church, Newport. 

Monday, Jan. 21: Reflection Honoring Dr. King's Birthday

10 a.m. - MLK Memorial, corner of South Main and Mason  Streets, Woonsocket. Reception to follow at St. James Baptist Church.