(Editor’s note: We’re reposting on MLK Day to remind you of the events and celebrations happening today.)

Sunday, January 15 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and we will celebrate him and his achievements on our national holiday on Monday, January 16.

This year will mark the 26th anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday a day of service, asking Americans to observe it as a “day on–not a day off” in honor of King’s words, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”

You can find ways to serve on the Day of Service website here, and we have put together more ways your family can celebrate and/or serve on, or before, MLK day. But first, please help us with our Diaper Drive, a way we are helping others in our community.:

42nd Annual Martin Luther King Program
Who: All ages.
What: Join together to further the legacy of Dr. King through this inspirational program and afternoon of fellowship! The 2012 Beloved Community Award recipients are Fred Profeta and Art Taylor. The featured speaker is Robert A. Marchman, Executive Vice President at FINRA, and a former recipient of the Beloved Community Award.
Where: South Orange Middle School, 70 N. Ridgewood Road, South Orange, NJ
When: Sunday, January 8 at 3 pm.
Cost: Free.

Hilton Letters to Soldiers
Who: All ages.
What: What are you doing for others? Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and celebrate the day of service by thanking our troops for their service to our country. Your letters will be included in care packages sent by Operation Gratitude.
Where: Maplewood Memorial Library, Hilton Branch, 1688 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
When: Monday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 10. Drop in any time!
Cost: Free

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration with Richard Smallwood and Tye Tribbett
Who: All ages.
What: Be inspired by the life and work of one of the twentieth century’s most inspiring leaders at NJPAC’s annual musical celebration. This year’s event brings together two of today’s most accomplished gospel artists: Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and pianist Richard Smallwood, and singer, songwriter and preacher Tye Tribbett, a best-seller on the Billboard gospel charts.
Where: NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ.
When: Thursday, January 12 at 7 pm.
Cost: Tickets from $23 – $38. Purchase online here.

Maplewood Middle School’s Michele Turner Annual MLK Silent Peace March
Who: All ages.
What: All MMS students and staff will participate in this Silent Peace March through Maplewood Village in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This unique march should help all people reflect upon a man who was committed to fighting for equality and peace. His vision of America is indeed responsible for the diversity that we so richly enjoy in our Maplewood school community and throughout the United States. This school activity is in honor of this important man and his important message.
Where: Maplewood Middle School, 7 Burnet Street, Maplewood, NJ
When: Friday, January 13 at 9:20 am.
Cost: Free.

Imagine That! Asks What’s Your Dream?
Who: Little kids.
What: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at Imagine That! Museum. Kids can create a personalized picture that answers “What’s Your Dream?”
Where: Imagine That, 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, NJ.
When: Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15 during museum hours (10 am – 5:30 pm)
Cost: $9.95 children, $7.95 adults

Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday
Who: All ages.
What: Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a sermon by parishioner Dan Austin. Following the 10:30 service, there will be a special coffee hour hosted by the Absalom Jones Committee for Black History & Culture.
Where: St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, NJ
When: Sunday, January 15 at 10:30 am
Cost: Free

The 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast
Who: Tweens and older.
What: The 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast will be on Monday, January 16, 2012. The speaker will be Mr. Thomas Reynolds, President of the Montclair Chapter of
the NAACP. He is also a 2002 scholarship recipient and graduate of The College of Architecture and Design, at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Where: Montclair High School’s George Inness Annex, 141 Park Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Monday, January 16 at 9:30 am.
Cost: Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door. For more information and to reserve your seat at this
special occasion, please call 973-746-2826.

Our Friend, Martin
Who: All ages.
What: Join in commemorating the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Marshall School Movie Day. Watch Our Friend, Martin, an EMMY nominated children’s educational film about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American civil rights movement.
Where: SOPAC, One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ
When: Monday, January 16 at 10:30 am
Cost: Free. Please RSVP by mail to Marshall Movie Day, c/o Marshall School 262 Grove Road, South Orange, NJ 07079 and email here with questions.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Who: All ages.
What: Hear stories about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and design a memorial with his message of hope, equality, social justice, peaceful resistance and freedom in mind. Visitors also enjoy hands-on workshops that connect to our contemporary African collection, science workshops, gallery games and tours, Civil Rights Bingo, films of Dr. King’s famous speech I Have a Dream and more.
Where: Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ.
When: Monday, January 16 from 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Cost: Free with suggested museum admission.

Two Towns Annual MLK Celebration
Who: All ages.
What: The Coalition on Race’s 11th Annual MLK Observance and Volunteer Service Fair! The Community Coalition on Race invites you to “Make it a day on–not a day off” with community service projects from donating blood to assembling food packages for families in need. There are volunteer & learning opportunities for all ages. Each year at the Observance we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy in a variety of forms, including spoken affirmations and selected readings from various faith traditions; songs by the local Voices in Harmony choir; and reflections on Dr. King’s idea of the Beloved Community. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, an African American history scholar, South Orange resident, and the Director of the Schomburg Library, will be the keynote speaker for the Community Coalition’s 11th Annual MLK Observance.
Where: Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect St, Maplewood, NJ.
When: Monday, January 16 from 3 pm – 6 pm.
Cost: Free.

Celebrate Dr. King Explore the Dream Through Art
Who: Ages 4 – 12.
What: Express Yourself Studios will host its 4th annual Martin Luther King Jr. “Explore the Dream Through Art” Workshop. Learn about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement through art. All participants are asked to bring a canned or boxed non-perishable food item to be donated to the Wallace Chapel Food Pantry (a service of Wallace Chapel Church) in Summit, NJ.
Where: Express Yourself Studios, 1912 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ.
When: Monday, January 16. One hour of studio time, drop in any time between 11 am – 3 pm.
Cost: $15 per child. Call 973.763.5256 for more information.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan on MLK Day
Who: Little kids.
What: CMOM will offer fun Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. projects all day to celebrate: Make a Difference Pledge, Friends iMy Neighborhood Collage a performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir.
Where: CMOM, The Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, NYC.
When: Monday, January 16 from 10 am – 5 pm.
Cost: Admission for children over 12 months old and adults is $11.