Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center (Kohl JVC), in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) and GL Homes, brought together more than 1,000 volunteers for the 10th annual MLK Day of Service, marking the largest and most impactful year in the initiative’s history.
What began a decade ago as a small community effort has grown into a powerful movement throughout the Palm Beaches. This year, volunteers of all ages and from diverse faiths and backgrounds filled more than 25 service projects to capacity, supporting thousands of individuals and families across Palm Beach County.
Highlights include packing 80,000 breakfast meals and collecting more than 6,000 pounds of tomatoes for local distribution by community partners, cleaning up more than 120 pounds of trash, packing more than 350 meals for cats at an animal shelter, and painting and beautifying a home.
In addition to hands-on service projects, volunteers exceeded expectations during a shoe drive, donating hundreds of gently used shoes to benefit In Jacob’s Shoes, providing a meaningful impact to individuals in need.
Observed as the nation’s only federal holiday dedicated to service, MLK Day centers on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring question: What are you doing for others? That call to action deeply resonates with Jewish values, including tikun olam (“repairing the world”).
“Each year, MLK Day of Service reminds us that meaningful change happens when people come together united by compassion and action,” said Amy Gordon, director of the Dorothy & Sidney Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center. “This milestone year reflects the heart of our community and the incredible impact we can have when we lead through service.”
Kohl JVC and PBA will lead another large-scale community initiative with Good Deeds Day on April 12.
