Every year, millions around the country come together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a day a service to the community in honor of the life and work of one of the country’s foremost civil rights icons. In 2021, given the ongoing pandemic, the community service projects held on MLK Day will certainly look and feel a bit different—but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important. There are still many worthwhile projects right near your 1213 Walnut apartment—and some that you can do right from home!—so you can safely give back to those in need.

One such event is a community clean-up day in South Philadelphia. Held from 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 18, the event takes place around 9th Street and Snyder Avenue, just a 10-minute ride from your 1213 Walnut apartment on the Broad Street Subway. The clean-up is hosted by Transformation to Recovery, which provides a full range of support services for those in recovery.

The project will cover a four-block area, and participants are welcomed to bring along bags and street cleaning tools. Volunteers will do everything from collect and bag trash to pull up weeds to sweep streets. Organizers are taking safety precautions as well; all volunteers will wear masks and gloves and will be encouraged to keep social distance.

While the volunteer project is a way to give back to the community, volunteers can also learn more about how to support Transformation to Recovery. The program seeks to address the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction and help individuals in recovery find the path forward. The nonprofit organization depends on community investment, and the upcoming event is a great way to get introduced to their work and see how else you can support their work.

This Martin Luther King Day, take the opportunity to check out this or other local volunteer events—every act, no matter how small, can give back to the community in a big way!