“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by turning compassion into action on MLK Jr. Day!
Volunteer Fairfax invites families, businesses, and youth to come together for a MLK Day of Service. Join us as we roll up our sleeves, complete hands-on projects that support local nonprofits and neighbors across Northern Virginia and show the next generation just how fun and meaningful service can be.
Registration is now closed.
WHEN
Monday, January 19, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
SCHEDULE
9:00 AM: Check in opens for shift 1
9:30 AM: Welcome ceremony
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM: Shift 1 service projects
10:30 AM: Check in opens for shift 2
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Shift 2 service projects
*All ages are welcome and service projects are suitable for ages 5 and up
WHERE
Northern Virginia Community College – Ernst Community Gymnasium
8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003
*Connect with us on social media and stay up to date on all event details.
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST
Volunteerism has long been a powerful force for good — bringing people together to lend their times, talents and compassion to serve others. Yet recently, we have seen a shift to fewer people showing up, disconnected virtual volunteering and an emphasis on seeking results over relationships. We have any opportunity to reinvigorate volunteering by bringing it back to its original roots in mutual care, stronger connection and shared community growth. We will explore how volunteering can go beyond helping others to become a true “transformative service” in building the community: where everyone contributes, everyone belongs, and a stronger, more trusting community emerges.
The conversation will be led by:
Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director, The Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project
Panelists:
• Jordan Bowman, Executive Director, Journeymen Triangle, Ashville, NC
• Travis Sternhagen, Volunteer and Training Manager, Kinship Community Food Center, Milwaukee, WI
• Samantha Zaboli, Executive Director, Centreville Immigration Forum, Centreville, VA
The presentation will be followed by small group discussion facilitated by Levon Williams, Principal Consultant, Rooted-In-Equity, a Fairfax-based firm supporting organizations through transformative change with Tricia Allen, Executive Director, Together We Bake, Alexandria, VA.
REGISTER TODAY
