Cassopolis will host its 18th annual community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday beginning with a prayer breakfast.

This year’s theme is “The Dream Forgotten: Where are the Dreamers?”

There will also be community service, a freedom march and an open-door youth gathering.

All events are free with donations accepted at the prayer breakfast.

“We hope to see a lot of our community family and leaders at these events,” Carmen Peake, program coordinator said. “Remember, MLK Day is a ‘day on, not a day off.’ This holiday emphasizes the importance of giving service to humanity.”

Here is a listing of Monday’s events:

 

Prayer breakfast

Church of Cassopolis

520 Pearl St., 9 a.m.

Cassopolis youth will compete in the annual essay contest where they have written about people who changed the world with his or her  actions or inventions.

 

Community service

food pantry

Distribution

Church of Cassopolis

10 to 11 a.m.

Food boxes will be distributed for one hour at the Church of Cassopolis until 11 a.m.

 

Freedom march

To the courthouse

Downtown Cassopolis

11 a.m.  

Marchers will meet on Rowland Street by the U.S. Post office. Chief Frank Williams will escort the marchers.

 

Open door

youth gathering

Church of  Cassopolis

Noon to 3 p.m.

All area youth are invited to come to The Church of Cassopolis and shoot basketball, socialize and have refreshments.

Kim Brown and Carmalita Peake are the coordinators of the program.

 

Gospel program

Presbyterian Church

State Street, 7 p.m.

Essay winners will read their essays and local youth groups will sing.

High school students and college graduates will speak also on the theme.