SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. Participates in MLK Day of Service at United Way

Monday, January 19, 2026 (Albany, NY) — United Way of the Greater Capital Region was honored to host State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and more than 40 volunteers from SUNY who participated in a day of service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Chancellor King joined volunteers from SUNY, members of the Empire State Service Corps, and other volunteers at the United Way of the Greater Capital Region in Albany to assemble literacy kits to help encourage a love of reading among young children and enroll them in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Supporting Young Readers

During the event, volunteers assembled literacy kits that support learning at home and strengthen family bonds. Each kit includes:

Hands-on activities to supplement the books children receive
Resources to help caregivers engage with their children through reading
Age-appropriate activities
A fun snack item

In total, more than 80 kits were assembled by the Chancellor and his team. The completed kits were distributed through the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.

Volunteers in line ready to stuff bags

President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region Peter Gannon said,

“It’s been proven that by helping young children build strong reading foundations at an early age and getting them school-ready before they start kindergarten, we can set them up for success in academics and in life. United Way of the Greater Capital Region is grateful to Chancellor John B. King Jr. for his leadership and commitment to service, and for shining a spotlight on the power of early literacy to change lives. As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through this Day of Service, we are proud to partner with SUNY volunteers assembling literacy kits that will strengthen family connections, deliver more books to children around the Capital Region, and help inspire a lifelong love of reading.”

United Way is grateful to Chancellor King, SUNY leadership, Empire State Service Corps members, and all volunteers who gave their time to honor Dr. King’s legacy through hands-on service. Their efforts help deliver not only books, but encouragement, connection, and opportunity, to families across the Greater Capital Region.

“Our Empire State Service Corps members and other SUNY students serve our state in a multitude of ways that benefit all New Yorkers,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Public service empowers people from all backgrounds to come together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We are proud to demonstrate Dr. King’s legacy on this day, and every day, by being a source of equity, upward mobility, and active citizenship.”

Volunteers decorating literacy bags

Volunteer helping a little boy put a book in his bag

Canceler loading car with literacy kits

United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library Partnership

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month to registered children from birth until they turn five. United Way of the Greater Capital Region launched its partnership with the Imagination Library in 2024 and now serves families across nine counties in the Capital Region:

Since its start, more than 13,000 children have been enrolled and we've delivered over 175,000 books to homes across our region—helping ensure that more families have the tools they need to build a strong foundation for learning.

Children under age five who live in any of these nine counties are eligible to enroll.