Martin Luther King, Jr. “Day of Service” in Westbrook

The free event offers a pancake breakfast, haircuts, health and dental screenings, COVID-19 and flu shots, and activities for children. Information and referrals to services offered Maine, including free financial education and legal services, will be available.

The “Day of Service” is being hosted by St. Anthony’s Social Justice and Peace Committee to help anyone who needs assistance.

There will also be new and gently used clothes available for those who need it as well as referrals to services offered in the community like dental care, legal aid, and financial assistance.

Everything is free for attendees, and all are welcome.

“This idea for this initiative came directly from St. Anthony parishioners who wanted to honor the legacy of Dr. King in a way that would strengthen the bonds of the parish with the greater Westbrook community through acts of service and caring,” said Fr. Lou Phillips, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. “The parish wants to reach out to others in our community in practical and tangible ways, thus ‘celebrating’ rather than just ‘observing’ Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”

The number of participants have grown each year, underscoring the need for the event and the importance of bringing people together.

“It makes you think outside of yourself and think of somebody else,” said Fr. Phillips. “When people are connected with each other, it helps us to be a stronger community. We can offer hope and healing in our own community in much the same way that Dr. King's passion and compassion offered healing and hope to a sadly divided nation."