5 Wallet-Friendly Ways to Celebrate MLK Day with Your Family

On Monday, schools and government offices throughout St. Clair Shores and 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. Visit the community celebration of MLK

The St. Clair Shores community celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will held at 5 p.m. Monday in the auditorium of . The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion will be hosting a community celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

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 Dinner

Several family websites recommend enjoying a feast to celebrate MLK's vision of a world accepting of all cultures and races. This can be homemade with spaghetti, tacos, stir fried vegetables and apple pie, or take out from your favorite restaurant. It all depends on your personal tastes and health preferences.

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.