Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events Set for Saturday and Monday

Ocean City will celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at two events in the coming week: a program and dinner at Ocean City High School on Saturday, Jan. 14, and a citywide cleanup on Monday, Jan. 16.

The community is invited to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at 1 p.m. Saturday at the located at . 

The afternoon will feature music, personal tributes to King and a recitation by the Rev. Gregory Johnson of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.  Music will be provided by the gospel group The Levites.

A number of area residents will be honored with Dr. Martin Luther King Awards for their service to the community. They include Scott Halliday Jr., Thomas Heist lV, Patricia Jackson, Ernestine Bell and Cora Wright.

Ocean City was first in Cape May County to hold such a ceremony. It was organized by the late Rozelia Cobb, a popular and beloved teacher at the Intermediate School. Cobb established the format including music which always includes an emotional finale of the audience joining hands and singing "We Shall Overcome."

A free dinner (of fried chicken, macaroni-and-cheese, potato salad, greens, string beans, cornbread and candied sweet potatoes) will be served immediately following the ceremony in the high school cafeteria. Dinner is provided by Shiloh Baptist, and St. James AME Churches. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call 609-525-9300.

Ocean City is also asking citizens to mark Dr. Martin Luther King Day by volunteering their time to improve their community.

The City of Ocean City and the Ocean City Clean Communities Program will hold the annual citywide cleanup 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 16. All families, individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer.

Ocean City has participated in the Day of Service since 2008. Councilman Keith Hartzell started the annual citywide cleanup four years ago, and the event has grown each year. Among the 108 volunteers last year were representatives of Ocean City High School's National Honor Society, Ecology Club, Key Club and Student Council, along with families, individuals and other groups.

The city asks residents to meet and pick up supplies beginning at 9 a.m. at the Henry S. Knight Building at 115 12th St.  Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and the city will provide gloves and trash bags. 

The city will host all volunteers at the  after the cleanup for food and warm beverages.  

To register, call the Ocean City Public Works Department at 609-399-6111, ext. 9711 or 9702.