Katelyn Umholtz | The Valdosta Daily TimesThe Martin Luther King Memorial Celebration held a canned-food drive as well as a Youth Showcase at Mathis City Auditorium.

VALDOSTA — An overflowing Mathis City Auditorium welcomed the community to observe the annual Martin Luther King Memorial Celebration.

The event began with guests dropping off canned goods for Second Harvest as they filtered into the auditorium to watch the youth program Monday.

Students from several area schools danced, sang, read poems and participated in prayer to recognize and celebrate the history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“This teaches the youth about the struggle that we have had,” said Joseph “Sonny” Vickers, chairperson of Valdosta/Lowndes County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association and a Valdosta City Council member. “Most of them weren’t born back in the day of segregation. This is a way for us to remember our history and get the young people involved.”

A luncheon followed the program, which provided a full meal to almost 650 individuals.

Rosetta Carrington, secretary of the Martin Luther King Commemoration Association, said just because this is a holiday does not mean it’s a day off.

“It’s a day on instead of a day off,” Carrington said. “It’s a day to commemorate. Even if you don’t participate with this activity, there’s still something you can do within the community to help somebody.”

The event has always carried the principle of teaching the youth about MLK and his legacy from year to year, Carrington said.

It’s also an opportunity for Carrington to share with her children and grandchildren what she witnessed first hand in the 1960s as a high school student.

“You got chill bumps when (Dr. King) spoke because he spoke with love and authority,” Carrington said. “God was in him.”

Though the event is organized by adults, the children carry the program.

Makai and Makaela Adams, 8-year-old twins and Sallas Mahone Elementary School students, participated by welcoming guests and joining in prayer.

They might have been off from school, but MLK Day was no day off for them. Nonetheless, they said they loved the giving nature of the holiday.

“I like this holiday,” Makai Adams said. “It brings different people and cultures together.”

The association also sponsored a commemoration program Sunday at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 419 S. Ashley St. The scheduled keynote speaker was the Rev. Ronnie Brinson, pastor, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Sparks.

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.