The day of service at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights started Sunday and continued Monday, with donors dropping off items to benefit the church’s annual community food and household essentials drive in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
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Starting Sunday, volunteers at the church helped collect such things as household cleaners, toiletries and canned food to benefit the Wheeling Township food pantry.
This year was the fifth annual MLK event, said Michele Holifield of Arlington Heights, the church’s MLK event coordinator and organizer.
“For me, I guess the dream is that we just keep this day alive,” said Michele Holifield, referring to the slain Civil Rights Movement leader’s famed “I Have A Dream” speech. Holifield helped coordinate the drive at the church.
“MLK Day is really supposed to be a day of doing something for others,” she said. “I hope that he would be glad that we’re doing something. … I’d have to think he’d probably hope we were doing even more but I hope that he would at least be glad that we’re still trying.”
Kurt and Darah Landwehr, of Palatine, volunteered for the collection drive with their children Susanna, 11, Everett, 8, and Charlie, 13.
“It’s important to set an example for the kids and to show them it’s important to give back to the community,” said Kurt Landwehr, who is also a church member.
Darah Landwehr said volunteering for the MLK event is good to do as a family.
Her 11-year-old daughter remarked on the impact she feels the iconic King, who also received the Nobel Peace Prize, had on society.
“I think he just wanted to change the world and, I don’t know, I think we’re doing that. I think we’re helping change,” said Susanna Landwehr.
Monday was the first MLK day of service at this church for Susan Weller, of Arlington Heights. She recently moved to the village from Libertyville and became part of th First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights congregation.
“I’m inspired,” Weller said. “I wanted to be in a church that had a program about social justice, and here I am.
“It’s the only holiday that asks us to do something … this holiday asks us to serve. I’m happy to be here.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.