Organizers of the Village of Hoffman Estates' Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration announced donation totals and an upcoming Black History Month event during the program.

Catherine McCord, chair of the Cultural Awareness Commission, invited attendees to a Black History Month event scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. "I am Catherine McCord, your cultural awareness commission chair," she said while naming commission members and staff liaisons and thanking local sororities and volunteers who supported the program.

McCord and other speakers also reported the day’s donations: as read at the podium, attendees contributed 47 dry goods, 163 canned goods, one coat, and "35 pairs of hats, I'm sorry, of gloves or a hat" (transcript phrasing unclear). Organizers said those items will go to feed and clothe people in the area.

The event included a keynote address and a staged presentation by Kingdom Impact Theater titled "Strolling Down MLK Street." Village officials and representatives present included Mayor William McLeod, trustees Patty Richter, Gary Stanton, Karen Mills and Patrick Kinane, state representative Michelle Mossman, County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, and representatives from the Hoffman Estates Park District and the Schaumburg Township library district.

A benediction was delivered near the program’s close by Shirley Welch of Grace Community Christian Church. McCord closed by urging attendees to treat the day’s giving as a starting point for ongoing service: "People need food 365 days a year. People need clothing 365 days a year. ... Don't let today be the only time that something positive happens," she said.

Organizers encouraged attendees to take part in future commission events and to follow local volunteer efforts tied to food and clothing distribution.