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AHRC New York City

Advocating for people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities to lead full and equitable lives.

Volunteers at Norfolk Day Services continued their MLK Day of Service tradition

MLK Day of Service Brings People Together for Seventh Consecutive Year

The AHRC NYC community, in collaboration with other local communities, proudly mobilized efforts for the 7th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, organizing food and supply drives to support neighbors in need. People supported and staff from AHRC NYC Day Services, Employment and Business Services, and Residential Services actively engaged with their communities, initiating donation drives across the city. AHRC NYC programs hosted collections locally with contributions from staff, people supported, and family members. They partnered with libraries, banks, and local businesses such as Club Pilates and Spear Therapy Group to host boxes in the community. These efforts were further supported by partnerships with local council members, including the offices of Shekar Krishnan (District 25), Carlina Rivera (District 2), Diana Ayala (District 8), and Kamillah Hanks (District 49).

Key contributions included food drives organized by Rockefeller Center Operations at NBCUniversal and Ponce Bank, along with monetary donations from Siegel Agency, Friedlander Group, HKM&P, Driscoll,  Visit.org, and Premier Office Supplies, which were used to purchase essential items. Together, these efforts resulted in collecting over 2,000 pounds of non-perishable food items, 50 hot lunches, more than 1,000 items of hats and gloves, and over 30 winter coats.

Staff, Families, and Partners Combine Forces

Rupert Towers residents and staff at Word Up Community Bookstore in Harlem
Rupert Towers residents and staff at Word Up Community Bookstore in Harlem.

Hosting locations Wendy M. Siegel Day Services in Bushwick, Joseph T. Weingold Day Services in Elmhurst, Norfolk Day Services on the Lower East Side, Word Up Community Bookstore in Harlem, and EBS-Staten Island became hubs of activity, where over volunteers from AHRC NYC day and residential programs joined community volunteers, families, and corporate partners like the law firm White & Case. Over 100 dedicated volunteers braved the frigid weather to sort, organize, and deliver items to local shelters and community centers. Additionally, more than 300 sandwiches were prepared and delivered to community fridges and outdoor locations addressing food insecurity. Citymeals on Wheels has long played a vital role in this initiative, identifying vulnerable, homebound seniors and thoughtfully organizing delivery routes to ensure their needs are met. Volunteers from Harlem’s Fisher Day Services and Walter & Evelyn Redfield Day Services in Hell’s Kitchen have been delivering emergency food boxes and heartfelt cards to homebound seniors across the city.

Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program alumni and staff members gathered at EBS Staten Island
Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program alumni and staff members gathered at EBS Staten Island

A special highlight of the event was the donation of roses by Piropo Flowers, distributed to neighbors with messages of kindness and hope. Volunteers proudly wore custom-designed T-shirts printed at Kings Highway Day Services in Bensonhurst, symbolizing unity and dedication to the cause.

Queens based volunteers made sandwihces for neighbors in need
Queens-based volunteers made sandwiches for neighbors in need.

The 2025 MLK Day of Service was a powerful testament to the strength of community collaboration. By joining hands with AHRC NYC, many individuals and organizations demonstrated the profound impact of collective action in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable among us.

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