More than 150 people spent time giving back during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in North Adams. Kathy Keeser has helped organize the event for more than twenty years. Keeser says, "The whole day is to get people to try out service on different levels, or just continue doing service, because many do service day in and day out, and it's just an idea to bring people together and get them thinking about it."

Some volunteers came to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Venable Gym to make Valentine's Day cards, knit warm winter gear, and organize donations. Others traveled to community organizations in North Berkshire County, including the YMCA and the Louison Homeless Shelter.

Eric Wilson, a volunteer is proud to give back to the community. “It’s good to see the community working together, we have a good community here. It’s wonderful to see people helping people in this neighborhood, because we need to see more of that.”

Volunteer Faith Motta added, "It’s important because we need the community, and without a community, when we’re in that situation too, no one’s going to be able to help us, so I think it’s great that we’re all doing this.”

Kesser says supporting the community this way is exactly what Dr. King wanted people to do. Keeser, “Martin Luther King’s idea was that you are part of the community. Everybody’s a part of the community, no matter if you want to be or not, you’re part of the community. So the idea is to reach out in what way you can.”

All of the hundreds of goods collected and crafts made here today are going to be donated to local homeless shelters, food pantries, and senior centers within the next couple of days.