THE LEAFLET

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a remarkable leader who dedicated his life to advocating for civil rights and justice. His selfless service and commitment to nonviolence and human dignity inspired people around the world. He was an unwavering champion of equality and a powerful voice for the voiceless. His legacy serves as a reminder that we must continue to strive for justice and equality for all.

In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a National Day of Service. Taking place on Monday, January 15th this year, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a National Day of Service – a “day on, not a day off.” The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

Casey Trees is so glad we got to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service by teaming up with the National Park Service and the Friends of Anacostia Park to host a wonderful tree care event!

Dedicated volunteers met us at Anacostia Park on a cold, icy Saturday morning to give back to their community by caring for the newly planted trees of Anacostia Park. Volunteers worked diligently to spread mulch around the trees, which is essential to helping them thrive through the winter. Mulch provides insulation against harsh weather, retains moisture in the soil, and suppresses weeds, creating a healthier growing environment for the trees.

It was truly inspiring to see so many dedicated volunteers come out to support this effort. Despite the chilly weather, their enthusiasm and hard work made a huge difference. Events like this highlight the strength of community and the importance of collective action in caring for our natural spaces.

Sending a huge thanks to all our volunteers who came out to help. The work at Anacostia Park is instrumental to the health of the park and our local ecosystem.

Scroll down to see some of the fun volunteering moments we captured at the event!

Casey Trees’ activities and programming are funded in part by the USDA Forest Service via the Inflation Reduction Act. Casey Trees is an equal opportunity provider.