Thursday, February 6, 2025
As we usher in a new year, we are presented with the opportunity to start fresh, to reflect, and to strive for growth. This is a time to reset our priorities and plan for a better future — not just for ourselves, but for the communities we are part of.
The beginning of the year also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of service to others, as we honor one of history’s most inspirational leaders, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was Wednesday.
Dr. King’s enduring legacy calls us to reflect on his remarkable leadership, his unwavering commitment to justice, and the power of peaceful activism. He taught us what it means to make our communities stronger by embodying tolerance, equality and compassion. His dedication to the principles of nonviolence and justice remains a timeless call to action, urging us to engage in service and stand in solidarity with one another as Americans.
King’s vision for a just and compassionate world transcends his era. It is a message for all generations, including ours, to create meaningful change through service and unity. In the Town of Oyster Bay, we honor his legacy each January by recognizing those who dedicate themselves to serving others. This year we presented the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Samuel Thompson, an administrator in the Farmingdale school system.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Thompson has been a guiding force, mentoring and inspiring children to follow the right paths in life.
He exemplifies the qualities that King championed — community leadership, mentorship and the power of being a role model. Thompson’s contributions remind us that acts of service, no matter how small, can have a profound impact. You don’t need to be a world-renowned figure to make a difference. Sometimes it’s the simple, everyday gestures — helping a neighbor, holding a door, offering a kind word — that ripple outward, improving lives and strengthening our communities.
Research and experience show that even small acts of kindness, such as letting another car merge, giving a compliment or lending a helping hand, can transform someone’s day — and possibly their life. Imagine the collective impact if we all committed to doing just one small thing to uplift those around us.
King taught us that true leadership is rooted in service. His life demonstrated the profound strength of love, courage and the belief that we are all interconnected. In today’s complex world, we must embrace these values and work together to foster inclusivity, empathy and engagement. By doing so, we honor his legacy and help create a better future for our families, our communities and our country.
In the spirit of King’s teachings, I encourage you to take a step back this year and reflect on what truly matters. Use this time to slow down, appreciate life’s blessings, and seek opportunities to serve others. This doesn’t require grand gestures; small, intentional actions — whether volunteering, mentoring or participating in honest, open dialogue — can build stronger, more connected communities.
As we commemorate King’s birthday and the transformative impact of his work, let us renew our commitment to service. Let us challenge injustice wherever it exists, build bridges across divides, and embody the principles of empathy and solidarity that King so powerfully championed. As he once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
This year, let us all strive to answer that question with action. Together, through love, respect and service, we can honor King’s legacy and create a brighter, more just world.
Joseph Saladino is supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay.
