NEW YORK — The Morris family was helping to spruce up their neighborhood on 117th Street near Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem, taking care of a street tree near a public school.
"We're helping the trees so they can actually give shade when it's really hot," said 7-year-old Levi Morris, who was there with his mom and dad, two siblings, and a cousin.
They were among the volunteers lending a hand for a "Day of Service" event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the holiday celebrating his birth.
What You Need To Know
- New Yorkers across the five boroughs observed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a "Day of Service"
- The day is designed for Americans to pay tribute to the late civil rights leader by helping make improvements in their communities
- NYC Parks Dept. held an event in Harlem where volunteers learned how to take care of street trees in their neighborhoods
- Parks Dept. is responsible for taking care of 700,000 streets trees in NYC
It's a day all Americans are urged to volunteer to improve their communities. This event was organized by the city's parks department, which is responsible for 700,000 street trees across the five boroughs.
"We are removing litter and dog waste, we are weeding the tree beds, we are cultivating the soil which can often get very, very hard and compacted, and then the last step we are going to be doing is putting a layer of mulch down on these tree beds," said Leslie McIntyre, a parks department Stewardship Field Crew Member.
D.L. Morris, Levi's dad, said the event was a great way to honor Dr. King and be part of their community, which is why he made it a day for the whole family to participate.
"Just a way to celebrate the King legacy, and a way to make a good example to our kids about giving back and being in the community and trying to advance good and change," said Morris.
Some volunteers were solo, others like Morris brought the entire family, but all had the same goals to make a difference and remember Dr. King.
"There's so much division in this country now, I think we can really use some healing and some peace," said volunteer Elbert St. Claire.
The Miller family used the event as a teaching tool for their two young children.
"I think it's great to also get the kids involved," said Jessica Miller, who added, "There's not many opportunities for children to volunteer, so when you can do something as a family that's really special."
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