For Hands on Forsyth’s sixth Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the focus is on families volunteering together.

The community recognizes the Jan. 16 holiday as a day to give back in memory of the late civil rights leader, said Nicole Morgan, executive director of Hands on Forsyth.

The annual event typically attracts many volunteers, who often attend with family.

“Sometimes groups will come together, but oftentimes kids are out of school and parents may or may not be working, so they’re looking for a way to celebrate this day of service with their kids,” Morgan said. “It truly is a day on, not a day off.”

Participation in the local initiative has grown each year. To that end, Morgan said the volunteer connection organization this year sought a communitywide project.

Volunteers will put their efforts toward a cleanup project through Keep Forsyth County Beautiful.

Morgan said the project will allow families to work together, rather than divide among several smaller undertakings.

On Jan. 16, volunteers will meet outside the KFCB office, by the pavilion in front of the Forsyth County Juvenile Justice Center, 875 Lanier 400 Parkway.

Kevin Smith, the agency’s community outreach specialist, said in a statement the volunteers will then be grouped and sent to locations for area cleanups between noon and 3 p.m.

“Through this cleanup event, Forsyth County is part of a nationwide effort to celebrate the life of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others and to building stronger communities by giving back,” Smith said.

Morgan recommended that volunteers dress comfortably and warmly. They should also be prepared to get a little dirty.

Volunteers have other opportunities to donate time over the holiday weekend, Morgan said.

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful has a cleanup event scheduled Jan. 14 for its family mobile trash unit.

Also, Meals by Grace will hold its weekly food preparation and home delivery on Jan. 15 at Grace Chapel Church.

“They do meals for families in the community that are experiencing hardships in many different capacities, especially poverty,” Morgan said. “It’s a really amazing program.”