On two freezing January days, with snow blanketing New Jersey, the allure of staying home—wrapped in a cozy blanket and binging your favorite TV series—was hard to resist. Yet, for hundreds of volunteers, the call to serve proved stronger. Guided by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., they answered the persistent and urgent question: “What are you doing for others?”

Over two days, from Sunday, January 19 to Monday, January 20, Jersey Cares, in partnership with AmeriCorps, mobilized these dedicated volunteers across 18 project sites. Together, they turned a day off into a “day on,” transforming snowy landscapes into spaces of warmth, connection, and purpose.

A Snapshot of Service

From sorting winter coats to supporting veterans and promoting literacy, volunteers made meaningful contributions that rippled across the state:

• Spreading Warmth Through the Jersey Cares Coat Drive: Over 18,000 winter coats were sorted and packed to bring warmth and comfort to our New Jersey neighbors. Each coat represented not just warmth but a gesture of care during the harshest days of winter.
• Supporting Veterans Through Dog Kits: Volunteers assembled “Veterans Dog Kits,” providing essential supplies to veterans with disabilities or mental health challenges who rely on service dogs. These kits were donated to Operation K9 Beethoven, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans living with PTSD and other mental health conditions.
• Nurturing Young Minds With Literacy Kits: Volunteers prepared “Children’s Literacy Kits” for Acelero Learning, equipping children with tools to ignite their love of learning and prepare them for success in school and beyond.
• Fighting Hunger With Healthy Recipe Booklets: Volunteers created healthy recipe booklets for food-insecure families, which were donated to the Food Bank of South Jersey. These booklets not only help families put food on the table, but also empower them to make healthier, more informed choices for their well-being.
• Advocating for Social Justice: Through their efforts, volunteers raised over $1,000 for the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice, advancing racial and social equity and building systems that create lasting change for communities of color.

Dr. King’s Legacy in Action

Dr. King’s wisdom reminds us: “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands—one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” On MLK Day, these 1,800 volunteers embraced both hands, serving their communities and honoring the legacy of a leader who believed in the transformative power of collective action.

Jersey Cares hopes this pivotal moment ignites a lasting commitment among volunteers, driving their efforts throughout 2025 and beyond, as we work toward our vision of empowering every New Jersey resident to create meaningful and enduring change in their community.

As New Jerseyans, we are privileged to carry forward Dr. King’s dream by asking ourselves: How can we make a difference? The 2025 Jersey Cares MLK Day of Service demonstrated that even on the coldest days, our collective warmth and compassion can create a brighter, better future for all.

To learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit Jersey Cares and discover how you can turn every day into a day of service.