140,000 expected to pitch in on Philly’s MLK Day of Service [photos]

For the 21st year, the city of Philadelphia is expected to have a record-breaking turnout for the Martin Luther King day of service. 

Todd Bernstein, director of the annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, said he is expecting the biggest turnout ever Jan. 18.

This year’s event, marking the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycott following Rosa Parks’ historic refusal to give up her seat, focuses on justice.

Bernstein is anticipating “140,000 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds serving in some 1,800 projects throughout the region.”

The Day of Service includes projects throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Participants will include students of all ages from public, private, and parochial schools and colleges, senior citizens, community, religious, civic and nonprofit organizations, businesses, military veterans, AmeriCorps members, elected officials and families, according to theorganization’s website.

The array of projects will span the gamut, Bernstein said.

“There will be workshops focusing on racial dialogue, students marching with police officers sharing their concerns about their experience in the community,” to name a few, he said.

The events will be headquartered at Girard College, as they have been for seven years.