The City of Knoxville and Keep Knoxville Beautiful invite you to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year by helping to revitalize the historic Alex Haley Heritage Square in Morningside Park on Saturday, January 16.

Representatives and volunteers from several organizations partnering with the city and Keep Knoxville Beautiful to support this event will work with participants from schools, churches, scouting groups and anyone who is interested in honoring the life and work of Dr. King through his spirit of service.

All are welcome to check in at the Alex Haley Statue between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to volunteer for just a few hours or to work throughout the day.

The participants will work in small groups on various activities including planting, weeding, litter pickup and painting among other projects.

"By empowering a diverse group of residents to become active participants in improving the quality of their community we hope to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer to the 'Beloved Community' that Dr. King envisioned," said Nikida Koraly, with Keep Knoxville Beautiful.

Keep Knoxville Beautiful and the city are the organizers of this day of service which is also made possible by other sponsors including the Knoxville Urban League, the University of Tennessee Minority Student Affairs office, YMCA Young Achievers, Emerald Youth Foundation and the CAC AmeriCorps.

The sponsors will provide gloves, tools, bags, plants, mulch, refreshments and anything else necessary to make Alex Haley Heritage Square - which honors the Pulitzer Prize-winning author - a more beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. 

"You just need to bring an open heart and hands ready to work," said Matt Butzlaff, the city's greenways ranger, who is working with Koraly on the project.

For more information about this day of service honoring Dr. King, or to volunteer, please contact Matt Butzlaff at 865-755-3178 or [email protected] or contact Nikida Koraly at 865-935-9482 or [email protected]