The Mid-South honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – This weekend, folks all around the mid-south are honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Saturday morning, dozens volunteered by cleansing up neighborhoods and parks.

“I really feel like that the trash and air pollution has actually gotten like unhealthy … I do know it’s a worldwide drawback, however you realize the Memphis space it’s our job to ensure that we as residents of the group ensure that we maintain it clear,” mentioned 16-year-old Mark Gentry.

“So, I really feel like I might do my half to assist make it higher.”

Republic Companies partnered with Memphis Metropolis Lovely together with different youth organizations for its day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I feel it’s good simply to take day out of your day simply to assist others, only for the easy considered serving to folks,” mentioned. Nyia Hawkins. “It makes you are feeling good ultimately.”

16-year-old Nyia Hawkins says volunteering is only one method she hopes to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

“I feel it’s vital simply to assist folks you realize,” mentioned Hawkins.

“Take day out to assist your metropolis, and everybody round you and I feel that’s one thing he would need for others.”

Throughout city organizations collaborated for the 2nd Annual MLK Well being and Wellness Day, which was held on the Orange Mound Group Heart.

“Everybody is aware of on this group we’re coping with disparities and well being disparities which are simply not regular, so a variety of these issues are historic, so it’s important to actually actually do your greatest to cease the trajectory,” mentioned Reggie Crenshaw, Management Memphis and Volunteer Memphis President and CEO.

Crenshaw tells Motion Information 5 the occasion was a strategy to commemorate Dr. King’s assertion that inequality in well being care is the best injustice.

They provided free COVID and flu vaccines, blood stress checks, HIV testing, Mammograms, Psychological Well being Companies together with meals bins distributed to over 200 folks.

“It is best to at all times assist an individual in want, since you by no means know once you’ll need assistance your self,” Crenshaw mentioned. When you’ve got that spirit of compassion then you realize volunteering isn’t just a one-time factor — it’s one thing that ought to occur all year long.” mentioned Shelby County Well being Director Dr. Michelle Taylor.

Shelby County Well being Director Dr. Michelle Taylor confused the significance of looking for each other.

“That’s one of many issues that Dr. King and so many individuals who marched with him and labored with him taught us is which you could’t reside on this society alone,” Dr. Taylor mentioned. You need to care about different folks and positively should care about individuals who have completely different lived experiences from you.”

Dr. Taylor mentioned simply 8-percent of the county has obtained it’s COVID-19 Booster vaccine, she says its essential Memphians get vaccinated to guard themselves.

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