Washington: American Indians in the Boston area commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting a free community health care camp, offering medical, dental and vision services to hundreds of residents as a tribute to the civil rights leader’s legacy of service and equality.
The Foundation of American Indians (FIA) – New England, along with its partner organizations, held the camp on January 19 at the Academy for the Creative Arts in Burlington, Massachusetts, during MLK Day weekend. The initiative aimed to honor Dr. King’s vision through direct community service, according to a news release issued Monday.
More than 300 community members received free health services, including medical checkups, dental visits and vision exams.
The camp was supported by several healthcare professionals of Indian origin, covering a wide range of specialties such as vascular surgery, cardiology, psychiatry, primary care, dentistry, nutrition, physiotherapy and vision care. Free reading glasses were also distributed to the needy.
FIA-New England President Abhishek Singh said the initiative was inspired by Dr. King’s ideals. “We are inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior’s dream of equality and social harmony and wanted to honor his memory by hosting a free community health care camp with free vision screenings and free reading glasses,” he said.
The healthcare camp was attended by several prominent Indian-American community leaders and representatives of local organizations, who expressed their support for the effort.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated across the United States to honor the Nobel Peace Prize winner who led the civil rights movement through nonviolent resistance.
Community service initiatives undertaken over MLK Day weekend are widely seen as a way to reflect Dr. King’s message of dignity, compassion, and equality through action.
