5 Ways to Celebrate MLK Day with Your Family

On Monday, schools and government offices throughout Macomb County will close in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a holiday proposed by Michigan Congressman John Conyers Jr. in 1968 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

While there are numerous celebrations planned around the country to remember this Civil Rights icon, if a trip to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., isn't in the family budget, here are five more wallet-friendly ways to celebrate MLK Day with family closer to home: 

1. Visit a Museum

• Detroit Institute of Arts - Open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 16, with guided tours of the African American art collection at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• The Henry Ford Museum - Admission to the museum and parking are free Jan. 16. Visit the bus ridden by Rosa Parks or explore the With Liberty and Justice For All exhibit.

2. Check Out a Book or Movie from the

• M.L.K.: Journey of a King - A juvenile biography of King available at all CMPL branches. 
• I've Seen the Promised Land: TheLlife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - A juvenile biography of King available at all CMPL branches.
• Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - A juvenile DVD biography on King and the Civil Rights movement available at the South Branch.
• The Speeches of Martin Luther King - Listen to words that changed the world. This videocassette available at the Main Library.

3. Participate in a MLK Day of Service

• A donation drive to fill the "Freedom Bus" with personal items for the working poor will be held at at The Royalty House, 8201 Old 13 Mile Road, in Warren as part of The Interfaith Center for Racial Justice's Silver Anniversary MLK event. Suggested donations include: shampoo, bath soap, hand and body lotion, laundry detergent, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues.
• Other volunteer opportunities and service events can be found on the All for Good website.

4. Cook a Multicultural Meal

• Celebrate diversity and the rich ethnic food choices we have in America by cooking a meal for the family or going out to enjoy one together. For restaurant suggestions in Chesterfield and New Baltimore, visit Patch's directory listings.

5. Just Talk About It

• The world may be a far different place today than it was during Dr. King's time, but many of the prejudices against race, religion and culture linger. Listen to King's famed "I Have a Dream" speech and talk about how the world has changed and how it could still change for the better, having your children ask questions and allowing them to share with you what they may have already learned in school.