Events will focus on memories of Dr. King

The memory of slain civil-rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored during a series of events in Cape Girardeau beginning Jan. 17.

Sponsored by the 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City-Wide Celebration Committee, the events will be free for those who would like to attend. Debra Mitchell-Braxton, founder and executive director of the committee, said the committee has never charged a fee to celebrate Dr. King's memory.

"Dr. King believed in everybody having equal access to the same table," she said. "Offering these free celebrations of his legacy reflects his beliefs."

In lieu of admission fees, donations of canned goods, other nonperishable food items, toiletries and school supplies are requested. Items collected will be donated to several food pantries, First Call for Help, the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau and students in need of school supplies. Monetary donations to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund at Southeast Missouri State University also will be accepted.

Local events are:

* The 11th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, 7 p.m. Jan. 17, at Cape Central Junior High School.

* The 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, 6 p.m. Jan. 20, at St. James AME Church, 516 North St.

* The 28th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast with the Rev. Rodney Moody as keynote speaker, 8 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* Prayer Service For Our Nation., 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* The 12th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon Benefit with keynote speaker Rev. Joseph Cotton, noon Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* The 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Gala, 4 p.m. Jan. 21, at West Park Mall Center Court next to J.C. Penney.

While admission to the breakfast and luncheon is free, reservations are required by Jan. 20, by calling 979-0213.

Southeast Missouri State University will host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the Show Me Center. The event is part of the university's 2012-2013 Speakers Series. Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist John Legend will present the keynote address.

Individual dinner tickets and tables are available through the university's Office of Equity & Diversity Issues. Dinner tickets are $18 each, and tables of eight are $130. Individual speaker-only tickets may be purchased for $10 apiece. These tickets will have a later arrival time.

Dinner tables and tickets may be purchased by contacting Elizabeth Maldonado at 651-2524 or emaldonado@semo.edu. Speaker-only tickets may be purchased through the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000 or online at www.showmecenter.biz.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses:

205 Caruthers St., Cape Girardeau, MO

516 North St., Cape Girardeau, MO

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MORodney Moody as keynote speaker, 8 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* Prayer Service For Our Nation., 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* The 12th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon Benefit with keynote speaker the Rev. Joseph Cotton, noon Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* The 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Gala, 4 p.m. Jan. 21, at West Park Mall Center Court next to J.C. Penney.

While admission to the breakfast and luncheon is free, reservations are required by Jan. 20 by calling 979-0213.

Southeast Missouri State University will host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Show Me Center. The event is part of the university's 2012-2013 Speakers Series. Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist John Legend will present the keynote address.

Individual dinner tickets and tables are available through the university's Office of Equity & Diversity Issues. Dinner tickets are $18 each, and tables of eight are $130. Individual speaker-only tickets may be purchased for $10 apiece. These tickets will have a later arrival time.

Dinner tables and tickets may be purchased by contacting Elizabeth Maldonado at 651-2524 or emaldonado@semo.edu. Speaker-only tickets may be purchased through the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000 or online at showmecenter.biz.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses:

205 Caruthers St., Cape Girardeau, MO

516 North St., Cape Girardeau, MO

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MOMartin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast with the Rev. Rodney Moody as keynote speaker, 8 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* Prayer Service For Our Nation., 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* The 12th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon Benefit with keynote speaker the Rev. Joseph Cotton, noon Jan. 21, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St.

* The 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Gala, 4 p.m. Jan. 21, at West Park Mall Center Court next to J.C. Penney.

Admission to the breakfast and luncheon is free; reservations are required by Jan. 20 by calling 979-0213.

Southeast Missouri State University will host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Show Me Center. The event is part of the university's 2012-2013 Speakers Series. Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist John Legend will present the keynote address.

Individual dinner tickets and tables are available through the university's Office of Equity & Diversity Issues. Dinner tickets are $18 each, and tables of eight are $130. Individual speaker-only tickets may be purchased for $10 apiece. These tickets will have a later arrival time.

Dinner tables and tickets may be purchased by contacting Elizabeth Maldonado at 651-2524 or emaldonado@semo.edu. Speaker-only tickets may be purchased through the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000 or online at showmecenter.biz.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses:

205 Caruthers St., Cape Girardeau, MO

516 North St., Cape Girardeau, MO

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO