For Immediate Release: January 9, 2016 – Lebanon, Ohio

To celebrate our 31st M.L.K. Day in Lebanon on Monday January 18th, the MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon plans to unify our community and light the way to peace. From humble beginnings, the day has grown to include multiple service projects and an evening celebration. We plan to carry on this tradition for many years to come in the spirit of service and unity, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and for the Lebanon community. The mission of the MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon, Ohio is to honor Dr. King’s vision of justice by building an inclusive network of individuals and organizations that work toward empowerment for all people. 

National Day of Service – Make it a DAY ON – not a Day off

The Day of Service will be held at Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 123 N. East Street, from 12 noon - 6 pm.

The community is encouraged to participate in one of our collection drives:

1. New and gently worn winter coats for area organizations such as the Super Bowl of Caring, Warrior Closet and other organizations.

2. New and gently used children and adult books for the Girl Scouts Literacy Program sponsored by Troop #41055 and Troop #46246.

3. Non-perishable food items for the Lebanon Food Pantry

4. Personal hygiene products for those in need.

Other activities include:

· MLK Artwork Shop, sponsored by Resurrection Lutheran Church Art Ministry team

· Face Painting

Clergy Appreciation

This year, the 2nd Annual Clergy Appreciation Dinner will return to Bethel A.M.E. Church from 4:30 pm – 6 pm. It was created to celebrate and thank the clergy in our community. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a minister and the coalition decided to provide this service to area clergy in honor of King’s legacy. Sponsored by Prodigal Sons Ministries. This dinner is free and open to all area clergy, pastors, and ministers. Please RSVP by January 11th by calling 513-932-7919.

Lighting The Way To Peace MLK March

The march was created to show solidarity with other communities across the country that honor the King Holiday with a traditional civil rights march promoting unity, justice, and peace. The “Lighting the Way to Peace” march will kick off at 6 pm at Bethel A.M.E. Church and travel down Warren Street around Broadway east on Mulberry Street to north on East Street to the Lebanon Presbyterian Church, where the evening musical celebration will begin at 7 pm.

Musical Celebration

The 31st Annual MLK Day event will be a musical celebration featuring the Voices of Warren County Choir, the national anthem by Maia Osborne, a classical performance by Peg Pandorf and Jan Rydalch, music by Pastor Tom Giron, a piano solo by Riley O’Brien, and dance performances by Street Angelz, a Christian urban dance group. Students will be honored for their participation in the MLK Multi-media Photo/Video Essay Contest sponsored by the Lebanon Optimist Club. Also, the 2016 Drum Major of Service Award recipients will be recognized.

Drum Major of Service Award

Two adult leaders along with a student organization and a freshman at Lebanon High School were selected for the 2016 Drum Major of Service Award sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Coalition of Lebanon. This award is designed to recognize the contributions of those who exemplify the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as described in his sermon on the Drum Major Instinct. Their dedication and tireless work over the years as leaders in the community has been a blessing.