Lebanon honors MLK through service and programs on Jan. 21

Contributed By: Sue KIESEWETTER | Enquirer contributor

Focusing on service and military families is the theme of the Jan. 21 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. activities organized by Lebanon’s MLK Community Coalition.

Rev. Dr. Wendell K. Rome will serve as the keynote speaker for the 7 p.m. program at Lebanon Junior High, 160 Miller Road. He serves in the Air National Guard as the wing chaplain for the 132nd fighter wing in Des Moines, Iowa. His most recent deployment was to Iraq as the senior hospital chaplain at Joint Base Balad.

Along with Rome’s presentation, the evening program will feature the Drum Major for Service Award recipients, the essay contest winners and an art show featuring the work of Lebanon third and fourth graders.

Besides the evening program, organizers are encouraging community members to honor King’s legacy by assisting those in need. Two separate activities will take place for those who want to volunteer time, donate goods, learn about King.

The American Legion Post 186 hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There, volunteers are needed to clean, paint and repair the hall. Donations of supplies and paint are needed and can be brought to the hall.

From noon to 4 p.m., several activities will be held at Lebanon Junior High:

*Coupon clipping: Volunteers can drop off unwanted or expired coupons (up to six months) for military families overseas. Stay to help clip and trim coupons.

*Valentine Day cards: Families can drop off or make cards for members of the military. Donations of gifts, toys and candy for military families will also be accepted.

*Fresh Start Kits: Donate personal hygiene items including soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream and razors for Warren County homeless and other shelters.

*School supplies are needed for students who participate in the after school Homework Zone project. Individually wrapped snacks are also needed.

*Coloring books and crayons for the Hospice Center of Butler/Warren Counties are needed. The centers use more than 200 coloring books a month.

*Donations of new stuffed animals, juice boxes, individually wrapped snacks, art supplies and paper products can be brought in for the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County.

*Nonperishable food items are needed for the Lebanon Food Pantry

*Donations of Diamond brand pet food, blankets, towels, flea shampoo, plastic cat toys, paper towels, plain milk bones and other items are needed by the Humane Association.

*Volunteers are needed to help with sorting, packing and transporting items collected. Shifts are available from noon to 2 p.m. or 2-4 p.m.

*Exhibit area: There will be a children’s area where children can have fun and learn about King. There will be face painting, arts and crafts. Lebanon police will be on site to offer free Internet safety software for parents and free child identification kits.

“It’s getting bigger and bigger every year,’’ said Raye Kimberlin, member and spokesperson for the Martin Luther King Coalition of Lebanon. “We’re getting different organizations and churches involved. It’s really nice.”

There will be several boxed lunch sessions at the junior high from noon to 1:30 p.m. Each will examine information gathered from the Community Needs Assessment complete by the Family and Children First Council of Warren County.

Sessions are: Continuing Dr. King’s Vision, Increasing Employment; and Educational Excellence. Call 513-305-8295 to register.

Information: www.mlklebanon.org

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