Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service this Monday

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear Friends,

Each year, the MLK National Day of Service celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader whose courage, vision, and commitment to justice made a lasting impact that continues to reverberate today.

For the last five years, Canopy has been grateful to honor the day alongside hundreds of volunteers. Last year, 350 community members gathered along San Francisquito Creek in East Palo Alto to plant acorns, restore the land, and tend the ties of friendship and mutual support that help everyone in our community flourish.

Although we cannot gather as a group this Monday, January 18, we hope you find ways to honor the day's spirit of community action, unity, and love. Here are a few ideas:

Care for the Earth

Take care of a tree: If you have trees in your yard or park strip, check out these 4 winter tree care tips. Since it's been a dry winter, don't forget to continue watering (tip #4)!

Plant a tree: Do you have space for a new tree? Here are tips for planting the right tree for the right place and setting it up to thrive.

Grow native plants: If you don't have a space for a tree, consider growing native plants to support biodiversity and pollinators.

Take a tree walk to explore local trees in your community.

Care for your neighbors

Participate in a virtual celebration or service day like the Palo Alto MLK Day Celebration, Stanford’s weekend-long film festival, or the Palo Alto JCC's Mitzvah Day.

Support a food or materials drive through Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Ecumenical Hunger Program, Family Giving Tree, Hope’s Corner, or your local food bank.

Mentor local youth through a group like Mentor Tutor Connection or organize community meals for the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula

Support seniors and community members by volunteering in-person (if you can) or delivering meals with Community Services Agency.

On this important day and throughout the year, let's come together to strengthen our communities, to bridge barriers, to serve one another, and to leave a lasting legacy of love for the generations to come.

Yours in Community,

The Canopy Team

Canopy volunteers at MLK Day 2020. "Last year I remember riding the shuttle to the planting site, sitting next to East Palo Alto Council Member Ruben Abrica. Hundreds of volunteers gathered to plant acorns. Children of all ages were present. I look forward to this day every year. It reminds me that when we come together, we can accomplish anything.”

- Laura Martinez, Canopy Board Member and Former East Palo Alto Mayor

Visit us online | Canopy Tree Library | Find an Arborist | Canopy Blog

Support neighborhood nature

Canopy's mission is to grow the urban forest in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. Our vision is a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.