The Community Coalition on Race will host its 14th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 19 at St. Joseph’s Church (767 Prospect St., Maplewood) at 2 p.m.
Leading up to the event, the CCR is offering Maplewood and South Orange residents luminaria kits “to add to Dr. King’s light,” by participating in The Luminaria Project. Residents can join 1,000 other families throughout the town towns to celebrate Dr. King’s message of peace and justice by displaying luminaries on the evening of January 19.
The luminaries, $10 for a packet of four with four white “peace” bags, will be on sale in Maplewood (front of bank) and South Orange (Sloan St.) on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11:00 – 12:00 pm. Kits are also available for pre-paid pickup or for a $10 donation at the celebration. Place your order at the CCR website (note “luminaria” as the purpose on the PayPal page.)
The interfaith service, co-hosted by St. Joseph’s and First Baptist Church of South Orange, will feature music and songs from the Greg Bufford Jazz Trio, Voices in Harmony, and Kenny Vaughn.
This year’s featured speaker will be Joseph Ford, Selma Freedom Rider and current Maplewood resident. Ford was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement and has been engaged in a wide range of Civil and Human Rights issues for most of his life. Click here to read more about Mr. Ford.
A Volunteer Fair and reception will follow at 3:30 p.m. Participants will be able to learn about and sign up for volunteering opportunities throughout the two towns, and will also hear about “instant impact” service opportunities.
Organizations interested in participating in the fair should contact Audrey Rowe at 973-761-6116, x4 or send an email to info@twotowns.org.
