The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the Oshkosh community will come together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the 16th annual Community Celebration on Jan. 17.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration is a collaboration between the City of Oshkosh and the University. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. in Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom.
Esmeralda Delgado from the Equity and Affirmative Action office at UW Oshkosh said the event is a time for the community to come together to celebrate the life of King.
“I think the main thing is to continue on the legacy that Martin Luther King Jr. left,” Delgado said.
The federal legal holiday marks the birthday of King and was designated a national day of service by Congress in 1994.
The event program includes honoring a member of the Oshkosh community with a Diversity Award for their efforts to make a difference in the community, acknowledging six service organizations for work they provide in Oshkosh, announcing winners of the annual Oshkosh Area School District essay contest and unveiling the 2011 Black Heritage Stamp.
“The purpose of the event is to bring the community and university together to give tribute tot the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through the student essay contest and demonstrating the issue of giving service to your community by honoring local service organizations,” said Pamela Lassiter, director of Equity and Affirmative Action office.
Excerpts from six service organizations, including the ADVOCAP Support Refugees, Arc of Winnebago County, Catholic Charities, Cerebral Palsy of Central Wisconsin, PFlag support group for families and SVDP Society, will be presented.
During the program, a chicken marsala or spinach lasagna dinner will be served to its guests. The cost per ticket is $20, and it can be payable by check.
Delgado said tickets are still available, and the goal is to have 225 people in attendance this year. Delgado also said people should call after the deadline, Jan. 10, because tickets may still be available.
To learn more about King or to find a project to honor the day with service, visit: