LA Works, a nonprofit community organization, hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteer festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan. 20. Numerous nonprofits and local businesses were invited to the event to support low-income and homeless people. Volunteers mademade ready-to-eat meals, emergency essentials kits and sports equipment and also sowed blankets. Local food trucks provided refreshments, and a live DJ played music.
LA Works is a nonprofit organization with the goal of bringing the Los Angeles community together through events and volunteering opportunities, while also providing help for struggling or impoverished members of the community.
Vice President of External Affairs for LA Works Stephen Davalos said he appreciated how these events allow people to become more informed about community issues. He said he believes that events like the festival are capable of bringing people together in times of hurt.
“I love that we’re able to support the community with this event while also teaching community members that come to volunteer about some of the social issues and having them learn about nonprofits across the city,” Davalos said. “It’s good to stay connected to your community. We’re stronger as one. So the best thing that you can do is to know how and why your community is hurting, and volunteering is a great way to learn about that.”
LA Works volunteer Alison Petsod Hixson said she admired how many people were willing to come out and support their community through this event.
“What I think is really great about this event is LA coming together, especially during this difficult time with the fires happening,” Petsod Hixson said. “We’ve seen huge numbers of volunteers, the biggest numbers we’ve had in a really long time, for registration. So seeing all these people coming out and wanting to make a difference is really great.”
Erin King, who is a member of the nonprofit organization “Step Up Tutoring,” said she appreciated meeting like-minded individuals who are also working to better the community.
“What we enjoy most is getting to know the other organizations in addition to the volunteers,” King said. “So it’s really lovely to see the work of the other nonprofits, everybody that’s actually involved in this event, and people who have their heart in the right place that come out to do something good for this day every year.”
King also said she was impressed by the ability of the nonprofit groups to come together and contribute to one cause.
“Seeing how we all play a part in an integral role, that’s what we learn every year,” said King. “There are so many organizations that are helping and doing what’s needed. It keeps you very humble, as we’re doing such an amazing thing, but there are so many other good organizations out there that are also helping people in different ways.”
