Weather cancels MLK Day events

CEDAR RAPIDS - The weather wreaked havoc Monday on several Martin Luther King Jr. Day events planned in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Due to concerns about icy roads, the Downtown Rotary Club in Cedar Rapids postponed its annual Service Above Self Awards luncheon that was to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Melvina Scott was to be the keynote speaker, and eight area high school students were to be honored for their contributions to the community.

A new date and time for the event has not yet been scheduled.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library canceled a public service job fair and screening of the film, 'He Named Me Malala.” Library officials said they hope to reschedule the event.

In Iowa City, the University of Iowa postponed its MLK Day of Service where volunteers take part in a variety of service projects, as well as collect items at area Hy-Vee stores for The Crisis Center of Johnson County and Shelter House.

Officials said the event will be rescheduled sometime next month. Details will be posted at mlk.uiowa.edu.

Meanwhile, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids went ahead with its Martin Luther King Jr. Day events on Monday afternoon and evening after ice was off most streets.

Performance artist Akwi Nji, founder and director of The Hook, led a workshop for all ages titled 'Speak Up: Exploring Diversity and Unity Through Spoken Word & Poetry.” That was followed by a meal and a celebration service woth music from area choirs and reflections from Nji.

Hassan Selim, imam of the Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids and vice president of the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County, was recognized as the 2017 Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris 'Who is my Neighbor” Award winner.

Still to come is the 2017 MLK Day of Service - Veteran & Homelessness Resource Fair, set for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

Veterans will receive gifts from Coe and the Willis Dady Shelter. A free lunch will be served at noon.

Coe College students, alumni, staff and faculty, as well as veterans, are invited to volunteer. To sign up, contact Ashley Glassberg, volunteer coordinator at Coe, at (319) 399-8009 or aglassberg@coe.edu.

Those wishing to register to take part in the event should contact Holli Erkson at the Willis Dady Shelter at volunteer@willisdady.org.