On Monday, January 17, 2022, join us in celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. day by engaging in a day of service. This national holiday honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for racial equity and civil rights. The MLK Day of Service in Philadelphia is the oldest Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event in the nation. Over 80,000 people a year for the past 25 years have volunteered throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware during this holiday. All together, more than 2 million people volunteered for past MLK Days of Service!

Whatever your passions or interests, there’s a Day of Service activity for you. You can help with:

  • Food distribution and donation.
  • Equitable information sessions.
  • Philadelphia green space preservation.
  • Voter registration.
Visit the Global Citizen website for information about Day of Service opportunities at Parks & Rec sites and beyond.  

Day of Service Highlights


Bartram’s Garden: Martin Luther King Day of Service 2022 

January 17, 2022
9:30—11:30 a.m.
5400 Lindbergh Blvd., 19143
215-729-5281

Volunteers will assist Bartram’s Garden staff in collecting trash and debris throughout the site. A small group of volunteers will assist in the greenhouses with pot sanitation to prepare for spring plantings.

Meet outside the Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m. to be separated into groups and provided with instructions and safety protocols for the day. Out of respect and safety for our staff and others, please arrive on time!

Other things look forward after your volunteer session:

  • Live programming from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • MLK speeches to be screened in the Coach House.
Register for the event at Bartram’s and see health information.

Second Saturdays

If you’re interested in volunteering to improve Philadelphia’s green spaces, try the Second Saturdays program! When you help maintain natural spaces, you help maintain your community. The success of the annual Love Your Park service day inspired Parks & Rec and the Fairmount Park Conservancy to develop this monthly volunteer opportunity.

On the second Saturday of every month, volunteers organize to: 

  • Clean up litter.
  • Manage invasive species.
  • Restore Philadelphia’s natural areas.  
  • Keep Philadelphia’s waterways clean.

Workdays rotate to a different park every month. No experience is necessary. Anyone 16 and over is welcome to join.  

Second Saturday projects:

  • Require pre-registration and a mask at all times. Events are small and socially-distant.
  • Are led by either Parks & Rec or Fairmount Park Conservancy staff.
  • Provide the tools necessary to participate.
View the Second Saturdays schedule and sign up to help today!
The Love Your Park events calendar includes information on which park will host the next cleanup.