Released: January 13, 2023
Delaware County Council proudly joins the nation, and much of the world, in honoring and celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 16, 2023.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1983 as a federal holiday and is observed in over 100 countries as a day to honor Dr. King’s legacy. Many communities, organizations, groups, and residents honor Dr. King’s legacy by participating in acts of service.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. serves as a relentless testament to the human spirit's unceasing desire for freedom and equality and as a worldwide inspiration for change and acceptance. In the face of hatred and violence, Dr. King preached a doctrine of nonviolence and believed that people have the moral capacity and duty to care for others.
Dr. King said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Those words are incredibly impactful and ring true decades after they were spoken. As we fight against racism and injustice, we must remember that love is more powerful than hate. Let us remember to lead with love.
In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Delaware County Council will join the Philadelphia Union, the City of Chester, Widener University, the CAAT Center, and the Making A Change Group to host an MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 16.
Various events and projects will be held across the city of Chester to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. The day will begin at Calvary Baptist Church with a breakfast and information session. Volunteers are then invited to participate in a Peace March to MLK/Memorial Park, followed by a community clean up. Clean-up groups will be assigned areas of the park and surrounding streets. After the cleanup, volunteers are invited to the CAAT Center where community-building activities will be held in honor of the legacy and spirit of the great Dr. King.
Delaware County residents are invited to participate. Registration is preferred. Register at delcopa.gov/MLK. When registering, please make sure to select the events you plan to attend.
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Breakfast at Calvary Baptist (1616 W. 2nd St., Chester, PA)
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. - Peace March to MLK Park (Engle St., Chester, PA)
11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. - Clean-up Acts of Service (begins at Engle St., Chester, PA)
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Community building at CAAT Center (2300 W. 4th St., A211, Chester, PA)
Delaware County Council also invites families and children from across the county to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Rose Tree Park. The park and Delaware County Libraries are featuring a book dedicated to Dr. King as part of its StoryWalk® experience.
Located in the upper field behind the amphitheater stage at Rose Tree Park, StoryWalk® is a children's story book exhibit that is spread out page by page across 18 reading stations along an approximately .25 mile trail in Rose Tree Park, located at 1671 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA.
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, the exhibit is featuring Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison. This captivating children’s book, written by a local author, chronicles Baylor's rise to basketball stardom in spite of the obstacles he faced in the segregated cities of his childhood and throughout his career.
StoryWalk® was created to promote health and literacy in children and engage young readers and their parents. The exhibits are free and open during park hours. The StoryWalk® book selection will be at Rose Tree Park through February to also celebrate Black History Month. Residents are encouraged to visit StoryWalk® and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and Black History Month with their children.