NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is still "a day on" despite the major winter storm heading for the Berkshires. 

 

The 26th annual Day of Service in North Berkshire will occur as planned on Monday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Venable Gym on the campus of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. 

 

The storm is expected to drop a foot or more on the North Berkshires and Southern Vermont but should be over by evening Sunday. Should the conditions worsen, MCLA will make a determination at 5 a.m. on Monday whether to cancel; notices will be posted on social media and by email.

 

Event organizer Kathy Keeser is encouraging those who can shovel out of their driveways to bundle up warm and head to Venable for warm beverages to start the day before dispersing to off-site activities or joining in those in the gym.  

 

"Very important projects need to be done and sites are expecting us," Keeser said.   

 

"A priority is the Meals Ministry at All Saints Church," she said. "Volunteers will help finalize preparations of the meals, package and then deliver them to 96 people in real need of a meal on Monday."

 

Other sites include winterizing drafty windows for families in need of this assistance and collecting and organizing items for homeless adults from Stop & Shop and Youth Center in Adams. The Northern Berkshire Family YMCA, Louison House, the Al Nelson Friendship Center Pantry, Goodwill Industries and First Congregational Church in Williamstown need help with organizing and cleaning projects.  

 

The projects on site will include a discussion workshop titled "Love Conquers Hate," craft projects that include making mittens, blankets, Valentine's cards for those in nursing homes, care boxes for adults in winter shelters, etc.  

 

MCLA and Williams College will have vans available for those who do not have transportation but volunteers with vehicles are also needed to drive others to sites or to help with meal deliveries.

 

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and projects at 9:15; volunteers will return by 12:30 p.m. for lunch and a celebration with speakers and music. The presentation of the 2019 Peacemaker Award will be made to Kenna Waterman for her work on the behalf of people in recovery.  

 

Other events happening Monday can be found here.