By: Marsha Morgan, Chair, Community Investment Network
Today, we commemorate the 26th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. We know that this has always been considered a day to celebrate the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy through service. Although COVID-19 has impacted the traditional way we can make this a “a day on, not a day off” we invite all giving circle members to show up for themselves, their families, and our communities.
Here are a few ideas of activities giving circle member can do individually, or as a collective, to honor the incredible legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Activities for self-care, power building, and healing:
• Spend time in nature (i.e. walk, hike, run, ride a bike)
• Read a book
• Call a loved one or friend
• Dance
• Pray
• Meditate
• Exercise
• Make art
• Watch or read a Martin Luther King Jr. letter or speech
• Send a thank you note to someone
• Journal: write down all the things you are grateful for
• Take time away from social media
• Play a song that brings you joy
• Watch a funny movie
• Light a scented candle
• Take a bath
• Make your favorite meal
• Take a drive and listen to music
• Enjoy coffee, tea, or a glass of wine
• Laugh with a loved one
Activities to do for others:
• Give to a non-profit
• Take groceries or cleaning supplies to an elderly neighbor
• Cook for another family
• Schedule a virtual meetup for your giving circle members, friends, or family to check-in
• Host a virtual movie watch party
• Tell someone about the power of Giving Circles
• Host a virtual conversation about Dr. King’s life, teachings, & principles
• Share your talents to help someone prepare for a job (i.e. resume writing, interviewing skills, or dressing for success)
• Shovel elderly neighbors’ walkways, clear leaves or help with another yard maintenance
• Read a book to children on Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings
• Sign up to be a mentor or tutor
• Provide PPE to those in need
• Pray
Activities to do with others:
• Provide food assistance for the homebound
• Organize a food donation drive
• Host a virtual craft party for kids
• Support the work of a previous grantee
• Several of the suggested activities listed under Individual activities for self-care and healing and Activities to do with others can be modified to be done with others.
These are only a few ideas that you can do to revive your spirit, relationships, and community. Click here to find other suggestions based on your area code. We encourage members to perform acts of service virtually due to the pandemic. However, any activities performed with others should follow the CDC guidelines for COVID-19.
Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” We hope you will serve others by taking care of yourself and your community on January 18th.
By Marsha Morgan, Community Investment Network
CIN cultivates a new cadre of Black philanthropic leaders via Giving Circles. CIN inspires donors to pool their resources and intellectual capital to collectively build stronger communities, acknowledge their civic responsibility, and embrace their power to influence community change.
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