On behalf of the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Committee, the Rev. Lon Harden, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Guyton and the president of the committee, announced the schedule of events that will  commemorate  Martin Luther King Jr., Day on Jan. 15.

                The first activity of this commemorative day was renamed  the Homer L.Wallace Unity Breakfast. Named after the late former Effingham County  commissioner, the only African-American to serve in this position and one of the co-founders of the Effingham County Branch of the NAACP,  the  Homer L. Wallace Unity Breakfast will take place at 7:30 a.m. at the Effingham County Recreation Department Community Room, 808 Hwy 119 South, Springfield.

                The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade will begin as usual on Laurel Street in Springfield near the Effingham County offices. The parade will proceed down Laurel Avenue.

                At noon, the Youth Day Service will take place at the Effingham County Recreation Department Gymnasium in Springfield.

                The culmination of the day's activities will be the evening program at 6 p.m. at the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association Center, 801 Central Blvd., Guyton.

                This year's grand marshal is the Rev. Samuel Robinson, pastor of Saint Matthew's Baptist Church, Springfield.

                The theme of this observance is “Peace  and Equality: A Dream for All People.”  A poster contest was announced in conjunction with this theme.

                Winners were:

                First place -- Aidon Anchetta (South Effingham Elementary School, 4th grade)

                Second place -- Shabrea Wallace (Effingham County High School, 10th grade)

                Third Place --  Jacob Garvin (Effingham Elementary School, 4th grade)

                 Honorable Mention -- Aleya Edwards (Effingham County High School, 12th grade)