Every Jan. 15th, on the anniversary of his birth, we reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Born in Atlanta in 1929, King devoted his life to social justice, insisting that America live up to the principles upon which it was founded — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all, regardless of race or creed. And though most of us know of him today as one of the most visible leaders of the 1960’s Civil Rights movement, his commitment to activism and public service began much earlier, and closer to home.
Throughout his life, Dr. King spoke of how taking the time to talk to and get to know our neighbors would show us that our commonalities — our values and ethics, our hopes and fears — have the power to unite us, not divide us. He preached a message of compassion, unity and non-violence, and it is that legacy we celebrate today.
Ways to Give Back in Your Community
It’s said that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is “a day on, not a day off.” It’s an opportunity to continue his legacy through volunteerism and acts of compassion. If you’re looking for ways to give back to the community, or spread love across the nation, check out these ideas:
1. Help Senior Citizens
The last few years have been hard for everyone, but our elderly neighbors were especially cut off at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Call up your local senior centers or nursing homes and ask how you can help. Many places have contactless outreach initiatives like grocery delivery, virtual friendship line calling and other vital connections to community resources. Live next door to an elderly person? Check in with them and see if they need any help with yard work, shoveling snow or anything else that comes to mind.
2. Donate to a Food Pantry
During the holidays, in the spirit of giving, many community pantries see an increase in the amount of donations made. Sadly, by the end of January, donations have tapered off and food banks struggle to feed the communities they serve. Want to help? Check out Food Pantries, a national directory of food banks, soup kitchens and food nonprofits dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity. They’ll help you locate a pantry in your area where you can donate or volunteer.
3. Perform a Random Act of Kindness
Giving back isn’t about big, flashy gestures. Sure, if you have the time to organize, say, a charity bake sale or fun-run fundraiser, you should do it. But just as important are the smaller, more personal moments of giving. Buy a bagel for a homeless person on your way to work, or pick up the tab on the coffee for the person behind you in line. Leave your server a hefty tip, or send flowers to a nursing home. If money is tight, consider calling up a relative or friend you haven’t talked to in a while.
So often we hold back from random acts of kindness because we worry they aren’t big enough. But trust me, it truly is the thought that counts when it comes to putting good back into the world.
4. Volunteer With Animals
Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” But “others” doesn’t end with humans. In communities across the country, animal shelters house hundreds of homeless animals waiting to be adopted. And while you might not be able to give them the forever home they need, there are still plenty of other ways to help. Call ahead to find out what kind of food and toy donations they accept or especially need (or to find out if they have an Amazon Smile wishlist set up). You could also inquire about any volunteer opportunities they offer.
5. Clean Up the Neighborhood
Did you know that just about anyone can organize a neighborhood cleanup? It can be as easy as grabbing a trash bag and picking up loose trash on your block. You could also contact your local neighborhood association and set a date and time for others to join in. Invite your local schools and PTA to participate, or ask if they’ll give your cleanup a shout out on their social media channels.
Just remember: there’s no one way to give back to your community. Every gesture, no matter how small, is a tribute to the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the principles by which he lived.
6. Shop Locally Owned Businesses
Thriving local economies are vital to building strong communities, and small businesses are the lifeblood of our country. Shopping the businesses near you — particularly Black, women, and other minority owned businesses — puts money back into your community. Beyond that, these independent businesses give towns and cities their colorful character. When you shop locally, you keep the spirit of what makes your community unique alive. And by nurturing that spirit with your hard earned dollars, you have the potential to make your town a destination, welcoming new neighbors, visitors and guests.
How Groupon Has Honored His Legacy
Thriving communities are good for everyone. Quality schools, better jobs, safe and clean neighborhoods that are inclusively diverse — all of these things make a community a desirable place to live, work and operate a business. And it’s those businesses, the retailers on every block in every neighborhood, that lend a distinct personality and economic viability to the communities around them.
We partner with community organizations that have their ears on the ground of neighborhood development and small business acceleration like Kiva. We focus our investments at the neighborhood-level, often piloting in our hometown of Chicago, seeing what works, and then scaling to other communities around the world.
It’s in this spirit that we’ve partnering with Chicago State University, a predominantly Black university in Chicago, and the establishment of the Groupon Student Success Initiative. Through this partnership we’re establishing five scholarships for first-time, first-year undergraduate students. These students, our Groupon Scholars, will not only receive tuition and fees assistance, but will also be paired with a Groupon employee to provide mentorship during the school year. Junior- and senior-year Groupon Scholars will also be invited to apply for participation in Groupon’s Internship Program.
But our involvement won’t stop there. We’ll also provide opportunities for our employees to participate in a variety of initiatives, including virtual career panel discussions with students. We’ll have more information to share on this exciting program in the coming weeks, so watch this space for updates!
Education plays a vital role in building strong and thriving communities. It is our sincere hope that through these scholarships for undergraduate students, we not only honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we help build a brighter future for communities across the country.
