Four-day Martin Luther King Jr. celebration starts tonight in Elgin
The City of Elgin will host its most ambitious year of Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations yet with four days of events planned, as well as a communitywide food drive.
A talent show kickoff today and a youth day of service Monday have expanded the standard prayer programs the city has sponsored for almost 30 years.
Danise Habun, member of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee, said there has been a phenomenal response from the community for the extra events.
Schools started collecting food Jan. 3 with 27 churches joining in Jan. 8 and participating stores Jan. 9. And because of support from individuals and community organizations, the extra two days of events will not cost taxpayers anything.
“It just says a lot about the community of Elgin that they've come together around this whole event,” Habun said.
The committee hopes to gather four tons of food to distribute to 7 food pantries in the greater Elgin area.
More than 200 people have signed up for Monday's Youth Day of Community Service, which will start with sorting food donations at Church of the Brethren and end with a leadership conference at The Centre.
Habun said the youth community in the Youth Leadership Academy and the Boys and Girls Club helped plan the curriculum for the conference and expressed interest in a service project. Habun points to the youth involvement as a major success of this year's celebration.
“It's us carrying out King's message down another generation,” Habun said.
The kickoff talent show will last from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. today in the ATC Auditorium at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive. Performers at the free, non-judged show will include singers, dancers, spoken word artists and a drum circle.
The prayer breakfast is the only event with a fee — $15 for adults and $7.50 for kids older than 5. It will last from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Heritage Ballroom at The Centre, 100 Symphony Way. The community prayer program will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way.
For details about each of the events visit cityofelgin.org or email mlk@cityofelgin.org.