CHICAGO — My Block, My Hood, My City plans to make King Drive shine even brighter this winter.
The organization, focused on empowering youth through exposing them to new experiences, started the MLKLights initiative last year, when it covered 6 miles, 100 homes and 400 poles with lights and decorations along King Drive as a way to bring the sparkle of the Mag Mile to the South Side. Ultimately, the group collected too many lights to count as well as 3,600 feet of garland and 800 ribbons.
Hoping to return bigger and brighter this year, Jahmal Cole, the founder of My Block, My Hood, My City, is already starting to collect donations for this year’s project.
This winter, Cole hopes to light up 250 homes, 8 miles of King Drive (from 51st Street to 115th Street) and 500 street poles, he wrote on his group’s website.
People who live on King Drive can sign up to get the lights for free as well as a $25 subsidy to cover their electric bill.
Those who wish to help with the project can sign up to volunteer or can donate money. The group also has an online wishlist where supporters can buy and donate decorations.
The group will kick off the event on Dec. 1 at Nat King Cole Park, 8502 S. King Dr., when supporters will help homeowners between 67th and 87th streets hang lights. There will be hot cocoa, coffee and food. The event is noon-3 p.m. and participants can RSVP online.
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