Hundreds of volunteers made an impact at MLK Day of Service events on January 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA and Olathe Family YMCA.
It was a morning dedicated to service and unity in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Together, volunteers of all ages worked on a variety of impactful projects to uplift our community and embody Dr. King’s spirit of love and service.
Cleaver Family YMCA
At the Cleaver Family YMCA MLK Day event sponsored by AARP, more than 580 volunteers helped with:
- Bed of Bags – Transforming plastic bags into sleeping mats for those in need.
- Just a Sandwich – Preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to feed the hungry.
- Giving Hope & Help – Supporting individuals and families in crisis by packing feminine hygiene kits.
- Hope Faith Homeless Assistance Camp – Helping to provide care for the unhoused by making hygiene kits.
- Cards of Encouragement – Spreading kindness to local elementary students, veterans, and food insecure neighbors.
U.S. Representative Emanual Cleaver, for whom the Cleaver Y is named, attended.
"This is absolutely the way Martin Luther King would like to see America, people here from all races, all backgrounds...here to celebrate a great American," Cleaver said.
In addition, the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir performed, bringing hope and harmony to the special day.
Thanks to volunteers from AARP, JE Dunn Construction, Actalent, Turner Construction Company, Target, Jack and Jill, and all of our community volunteers who made an impact.
Olathe Family YMCA
At the Olathe Family YMCA, more than 100 volunteers helped with projects to benefit:
- KVC
- Starfish Project
- Olathe Public Schools
- Health Partnership Clinic
- Giving Hope & Help – Supporting individuals and families in crisis.
Thanks to the volunteers from Garmin and all of our community volunteers for making a difference.
