The Rev. Marcie Sanford of Macedonia Methodist Church in Ocean City gives a scripture reading during last year's Martin Luther King celebration.
Ocean City will hold its 26th annual celebration to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 16.
The ceremony will be held 1 p.m. at Ocean City High School’s Hughes Performing Arts Center (entrance on the beach block of Sixth Street). All members of the community are encouraged to attend and enjoy a great tribute to Ocean City's community spirit featuring music, history and fellowship. It will be followed immediately by a free Soul Food Dinner in the high school cafeteria. Donations will be accepted.
A record crowd of more than 300 attended last year's event.
The King ceremony was the first ceremony of its kind in Cape May County.
It was organized by the late Rozelia Cobb, a popular special-education teacher at the Ocean City Intermediate School. Cobb realized the importance of the civil rights leader. She believed that young people should learn about his contributions and be involved in the event.
The celebration has evolved to embrace all members of the community and the spirit of volunteerism that binds them.
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A group including (not in order) Aodhan Daly and his mom, Mary Daly (right), Bridget Dougherty, Sierra Ortiz, Brett Oves, Zachary and Sean Mazzitelli, Ricky Urban, Race Meyers and Justin Bush clean near the Howard S. Stainton Wildlife Refuge in Ocean City, NJ, during the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service in 2015.
There will also be a Day of Service honoring Dr. King from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 18.
Volunteers are encouraged to clean up different parts of the city. Signup for supply distribution and lunch will take place in the Senior Center at the Ocean City Community Center (18th Street and Simpson Avenue). For information, contact Charlotte Moyer, 399-6111 ext. 9711.
For more information on the tribute events, contact Councilman Antwan McClellan, (609) 517-6593 or Councilman Keith Hartzell, (609) 289-1484.
