Temple celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of events and volunteer opportunities across the Main Campus.
The Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was founded in Philadelphia in 1996 and is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the nation.
Photo by Betsy Manning
On Jan. 19, Temple University will be the host site for Global Citizen’s 31st annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service’s regional signature project for the first time in more than 15 years.
Temple hosting this key event comes as the university continues to build upon its long-standing commitment to community service. This fall, Temple expanded its legacy of volunteerism by launching a new universitywide program designed to connect faculty, staff, students and alumni with the North Philadelphia neighborhood and beyond through volunteerism and civic engagement called Owls for Philly.
“Temple is a wonderful community of more than 20,000 employees of the university and health system, along with more than 30,000 students and 200,000 alumni who call the Philadelphia region home,” said Valerie I. Harrison, vice president for community impact and civic engagement. “Together, we are Owls for Philly, and we show up every day in classrooms, clinics, neighborhoods and boardrooms, serving as volunteers, healers, teachers and advocates for justice, and in countless other ways that strengthen our city. The King Day of Service is a beautiful reminder of who we are and why we do what we do.”
The response to Temple hosting the annual day of service has been so strong, in fact, that registration is already full for the event’s signature project. There are still opportunities to volunteer at McGonigle Hall to help with the day’s logistics. Anyone interested is welcome to arrive at McGonigle at 8 a.m. and will be assigned to available projects throughout the building on a first-come, first-served basis.
Temple community members are also encouraged to volunteer in their own communities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. If you do not have a local organization to work with, Global Citizen has curated 50+ events with organizations across the region. Additional opportunities to volunteer can be found through Global Citizen 356 (globalcitizen365.org/kingday). Volunteers participating in activities on-campus, through Global Citizen or within their own communities, are encouraged to also register through Owls for Philly on TUportal so their engagement may be recorded accurately.
Here is information on in-person events happening on Main Campus in honor of the civil rights leader’s significant contributions and impact.
MLK 365 Brunch, Keeping the Dream Alive
Take part in IDEAL’s 2026 MLK 365 annual brunch, Truth in Tension: MLK’s Blueprint for Civic Discourse. MLK 365 is a gathering for students, faculty, staff and community members to reflect on King’s call to engage in dialogue as a pathway to justice. To RVSP: forms.office.com/r/2FKrD6tvSV.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Tuttleman Learning Center
1 p.m.
Global Citizen annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Join Global Citizen for the 31st annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at their Signature Site event, featuring hands-on service projects, a health fair, workshops, a job fair and a children’s carnival of activities. The event will take place between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and is entirely open to the public.
Monday, Jan. 19
Pearson/McGonigle Hall
8 a.m.
Eliza Shirley House-Emergency Family Shelter Salvation Army
Volunteer at the Salvation Army Eliza Shirley House's emergency family shelter to assist with upcoming programming. Tasks could include sorting and organizing donation closets, performing light maintenance, packing essential care kits and hosting activities for youth, among other responsibilities. Register through Owls for Philly on TUPortal. For more information visit: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania/greater-philadelphia/eliza-shirley-house/
Monday, Jan. 19
The Salvation Army Eliza Shirley House
10 a.m.
Building book arks
Attend a project where Temple volunteers will assemble “book arks,” self-standing structures resembling newspaper “honor boxes” that will offer free books to individuals and organizations in local communities. The book arks will be transported directly to their new homes.
Monday, Jan. 19
McGonigle Hall
9:30 a.m.
Participate in Klein College of Media and Communication’s eighth annual reading of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Bell Tower. Enjoy hot refreshments and come together with the community to reflect on King’s teachings and inspire one another.
Monday, Jan. 19
Bell Tower
11:45 a.m.