Although many schools, government offices and businesses are closed today due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Marple Newtown Patch would like to encourage the community to volunteer locally in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.

King was born on Jan. 15, 1929, and the third Monday in January has been designated a federal holiday. According to the Associated Press, the day was first celebrated in 1986.

Remember today as a day of service with a few local suggestions listed below.

St. Anastasia's School–The Catholic school will hold its third annual MLK Day of Service in the community, which involves a full-day of volunteer activities. Starting at 10 a.m., the parish and its school community will prepare to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as sew pillowcases and quilts. By the afternoon around 1 p.m., volunteers are scheduled to visit Broomall Rehab Center and Don Guanella School, a special needs school in Springfield, where games and sports will ensue. Call 610-356-6225 for more information.

St. Mark's United Methodist Church–Always in need, the Broomall church donates food and acts as a vital food center and cupboard for those in need in Delaware County, reaching Edgemont, Haverford, Radnor, Marple, Morton, Newtown Square, Springfield and Swarthmore residents. Although hours of operation are usually on Tuesdays of the month, the center could always use canned and packaged food items which they usually see lacking after the holidays. Cal 610-325-0130 for more information.

Episcopal Academy–The middle school students at this private school in Newtown Square will dedicate the day full of volunteering and service in the community. Call 484-424-1400 for more information.

Community Action Agency of Delaware County–The agency will host "Hoops From the Heart," its 10^th annual athletic event that will benefit the agency's programs for low-income residents. Children in grades one through eight, countywide, can participate in this project. But you may want to be athletically inclined. Five basketball clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday at Cabrini College in Radnor, Haverford College in Haverford, Neumann University in Aston, Widener University in Chester and Springfield High School, according to a county press release. Each child is asked to bring a non-perishable food item. Call 610-891-6326 for more information.

Tyler Arboretum–Another option for children on Monday is a winter nature hike at the Tyler Arboretum. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. children of all ages can go on an hour-long hike looking for birds, insects and animals. Pre-registration is required and it is $6 for members $8 for non-members. Call Joanne Landau at 610-566-9134 x215 or email her at jlandau@tylerarboretum.org.

Valley Forge National Historic Park–Starting at 9 a.m. and running to 1 p.m., the nearby historic park is asking volunteers in the community to join the staff in assisting with the preservation of maintenance projects. Work gloves and lots of energy are suggested for this volunteer project. Youth under the age of 18 will also need a parent or guardian’s permission to participate, the park states on their Web site. Walk-in registration will start at 8:30 a.m. Call 610-783-5384 for more information.