Lexington’s MLK Week of Service Anchors 2026 Programming in Civic Reflection and Democratic Action

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Lexington’s MLK Week of Service Anchors 2026 Programming in Civic Reflection and Democratic Action

January 7, 2026 LEX250 News

LEXINGTON — As Lexington enters 2026 and continues its participation in Lex250, MA250, and the national America250 commemoration, the community will observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service with a focused series of events centered on democracy, civic responsibility, historical reckoning, and community dialogue.

Taking place Jan. 12 through Jan. 19, 2026, this year’s MLK Week reflects a core truth of the American story: the work of building a more perfect union did not end with the first shot of the Revolution — and it remains unfinished today.

Highlights of the week include:

Film Screening: “I Am MLK Jr.” (Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m.) — documentary and discussion exploring Dr. King’s enduring impact
Storytelling Program (Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m.) — featuring Regie Gibson, Poet Laureate of Massachusetts, alongside community voices
Voting Rights Panel (Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m.) — examining the legacy of the Voting Rights Act and ongoing civic engagement challenges
Opening tribute to Dr. King, Community Acts of Service, Conversation on Race & Activators Fair (Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — annual gathering for dialogue, connection, and service

The 2026 theme, “The Dream at 60: Democracy, Justice, and Hope,” marks:

The 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
The 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday
And Lexington’s ongoing role — past and present — in advancing civic participation and democratic ideals

MLK Week of Service also serves as an early signature moment in Lexington’s 2026 programming, setting the tone for a year of community-led initiatives that celebrate diversity, confront history honestly, and invite civic engagement as an active practice.

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This website was produced in collaboration with the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts and the Semiquincentennial Commission.
Website design by John Guilfoil Public Relations.

Who can participate?

This program invites every Lexington resident, everyone who works here, everyone who worships here, or feels another deep connection through family or history to participate in volunteering at a community organization of your choice. Our goal is for everyone who is connected to Lexington to participate! This program’s success depends on you!

How many hours is it?

Individual participant level: 10 hours

Hank Manz level: 100+ hours, in honor of Hank Manz who always gave more than 100% to Lexington.

Community-wide goal: 250,000 hours!

Each time you complete the VO250 Volunteering log, your hours will be recorded–we’ll track your total for you. Each community member’s hours will be added together to calculate our collective progress towards the 250,000 hour community-wide goal.

How do we participate?

If you have never volunteered before, we are excited to have you join us now! There are events and organizations all around town in need of more volunteers to do everything from feeding the hungry, to organizing youth sports programs, running cultural festivals, stewarding Lexington conservation land, and so much more.

You are invited to volunteer your time with any non-profit/not for profit organization you would like. Click Here for a list below of Lexington organizations offering either ongoing opportunities or needing help for 1-day events. Once you have volunteered, simply complete the VO250 Volunteering log for each set of hours you have completed.

If you already volunteer somewhere in town regularly, or occasionally–in any role for which you do not get paid, receive academic credit, or is not political in nature, these hours you are already contributing can be counted. Simply complete the VO250 Volunteering log to be included. If this is an ongoing role, you may find it helpful to complete the form monthly.

How do I find a place to volunteer?

If you are new to volunteering in Lexington and don’t know where to start, take a look at this list of organizations offering either ongoing opportunities or needing help for 1-day events.

How can my organization attract volunteers through this program?

Thank you for providing opportunities for volunteers in Lexington, MA! VO250 will add your organization’s volunteering opportunity to this list of organizations–whether ongoing or for a specific event–if you complete Volunteer Opportunities form.

When do we participate?

The dates of this program run from April 2025 through July 2026 as part of the America 250 celebrations.

How are we recognized as VO250 volunteers?

We will list the names of everyone who completes 10 hours of service on this website (unless you choose to remain anonymous). For those who achieve the Hank Manz level, you additionally will receive a commemorative award at the close of the program.

Hank Manz

Add info on the Hank Manz level here…

1875: A Town Builds an Archway to Memory

On April 19, 1875, Lexington marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington with a grand Centennial celebration. It was a day of pageantry, oration, and civic pride. One of the most iconic features was a triumphal arch, raised on Massachusetts Avenue to welcome the thousands of visitors who came to honor the town’s historic stand.

Designed by local craftsmen and decorated with patriotic bunting and garlands, the original Centennial Arch served as a powerful symbol of Lexington’s identity. When President Ulysses S. Grant and other dignitaries arrived, they passed beneath it—a reminder that this small town had changed the course of a continent. Though the arch was temporary, its impact lingered in the town’s collective memory.

The 1875 arch was both gateway and gesture: a physical marker of remembrance and a bold act of volunteerism. It reflected what Lexington has always done in its most defining moments—mobilize ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

2025: A New Arch, A Living Legacy

250 years after that first shot, we honor that legacy with a new VO250 Arch—not only as a tribute to history, but as a beacon for the future. This modern interpretation, designed to evoke both the form and spirit of the 1875 structure, is more than commemorative. It is interactive, alive, and deeply rooted in Lexington’s culture of civic engagement. For every 20,000 hours of documented volunteer service contributed to Lexington between now and July 2026, the VO250 Arch representative bulbs will be illuminated. The arch will be completely lit when our community has completed 250,000 hours of volunteer service. Each illumination represents not just time served, but a collective reaffirmation of Lexington’s founding values—community, service, and shared responsibility.

This dynamic feature transforms the arch from static sculpture to civic scoreboard. It grows brighter with every act of generosity—from coaching and conservation to tutoring and town service. Whether it’s a student’s first time volunteering or a retiree’s 100th committee meeting, every hour counts.

Just like its predecessor, the VO250 Arch is a portal—one that invites us to step through, not into a parade ground, but into action. It’s a space to reflect on what Lexington has stood for—and to commit to what it still can be.

Why VO250? A Name Rooted in Lexington’s Identity

VO250 is more than a label—it’s a legacy. It tells a story that spans four centuries and captures the spirit that has defined Lexington since its founding: the power of volunteers to shape history.

In the 1700s, when everyday people—farmers, blacksmiths, ministers—stood together on April 19, 1775, they weren’t professional soldiers. They were volunteers, driven by principle and a shared sense of responsibility. Their courage didn’t just launch a revolution, it forged Lexington’s civic identity.

In the 1800s, that spirit continued to blossom. Concerned about the town’s appearance for the nation’s Centennial in 1876, Lexington residents created the Lexington Field & Garden Club, the first in the United States. Their efforts beautified streets, planted trees, and transformed the Common from a rough hayfield into a town green worthy of its legacy. Around the same time, the Lexington Historical Society and Cary Memorial Library were founded—both by residents who saw a need and volunteered together to fill it.

Then came the 1900s and, with them, a new symbol of Lexington’s volunteerism. In 1955, during the standardization of telephone systems, Lexington was assigned the prefix “VO” for “volunteer.” Local phone numbers began with VO2, which translates to today’s 862. The town didn’t choose that code. The phone company did. But it resonated because, in Lexington, “volunteer” isn’t just a word; it’s who we are. Long before hashtags and online organizing, Lexington’s phone lines were already echoing civic commitment. Many residents still have landlines beginning with “86”—a daily reminder of the values we live by.

VO250 is a celebration of Lexington’s 250 years since April 19, 1775. But more than that, it’s a tribute to the people who have made this town what it is—through vision, generosity, and service. It’s an invitation to carry that legacy forward.

Lexington’s MLK Week of Service Anchors 2026 Programming in Civic Reflection and Democratic Action

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