Over the past week, Up2Us Sports staff and coaches in Chicago, Miami and New Orleans have participated in the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) MLK Day of Service. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and, fittingly, charged CNCS with leading this effort. It is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” It also falls in January, which is recognized as National Mentoring Month, led by MENTOR.

This Day of Service is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the principles of equality and selflessness that Dr. King embodied. Dr. King believed in celebrating and promoting the worth of every person. He championed for diverse cultures to live and thrive together in a spirit of love, understanding, and service to one another.

The Up2Us Coach program is funded by CNCS’s AmeriCorps program, so it was only fitting that our terrific service members took this day of service and dedicated it in Dr. King’s honor.

CHICAGO, IL - THURSDAY, JANUARY 17TH

Our Up2Us Sports staff and coaches in Chicago teamed up with Good Sports and Chicago Cubs Charities for their MLK day of service activity. They all worked together to pick up, pack and ship $130,000 of brand new sports equipment to Chicago Public Schools and a handful of private schools across Chicago. The equipment will support the schools physical education programs.

MIAMI, FL - SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH

This year, as Up2Us Sports Coaches and AmeriCorps members, Miami staff and coaches had the honor of participating in the MLK National Day of Service alongside the Mission Continues Miami Platoon. Mission Continues is a national nonprofit organization that empowers military veterans to continue their service, using their talent, skills, and preparedness to make an impact in our communities. The Miami team helped beautiful, landscape and paint various projects at Brownsville Middle School.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST

After the MLK Day Parade, Up2Us Sports Coaches - along with other community organizations - helped provide a day of play for the youth and families participating in the parade! Up2Us Coaches helped run various games, a basketball tournament, and flag football. Participating organizations included the New Orleans Mayor's Office, Fit NOLA - New Orleans Health Department, Humana - New Orleans Branch, Discovery FEST NOLA, Office of Youth and Families, New Orleans Recreation Department and Upturn Arts.