On Martin Luther King Jr. Day last year, Philadelphians poured through the streets downtown for what was the called the largest march the city has seen in recent memory. In what turned out to be part march, part protest, and part observance of the civil rights leader’s birthday, thousands of people took part in a 1.3-mile trek from the Philadelphia School District building to Independence Mall.

Perhaps because of the massive march, one of the city's larger MLK Day traditions didn't get as much exposure. Over 135,000 volunteers of all ages participated in over 1,000 service projects in the Philadelphia region last year, and 2016 anticipates an even larger turnout. Now in its 21st year, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend and Day of Service is one of the largest service events in the country.

Philly Police Commissioner Richard Ross @mlkdayofservice #mlkdayofservice @PhillyPolice @denisejames pic.twitter.com/zCwAGWi8Gw

— Loraine Ballard (@loraineballard) January 18, 2016

Volunteers braving the cold to clean at 27th and Tasker for #MLKDay2016 #southphilly @PhillyRisingMDO pic.twitter.com/v6Vn3MTuDm

— Amanda Finch (@FinchEffect) January 18, 2016

1200 volunteers making improvements at the Bethune school. Thx @CityYearPhilly #MLKDay2016 pic.twitter.com/BC5htGb1Op

— Dr. William Hite (@SDPHite) January 18, 2016

Today's #MLKDay2016 festivities are still going strong! pic.twitter.com/TtuRjkAeZt

— MLK Day of Service (@mlkdayofservice) January 18, 2016

Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf @mlkdayofservice @GirardCollege. @PhillyMayor Jim Kenney too! #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/7Yg0JJDL2Y

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 18, 2016

ASAP is at the MLK Day event at @GirardCollege playing chess and Scrabble in the Kids Carnaval. @mlkdayofservice pic.twitter.com/D8M8leoevA

— ASAP (@PhillyASAP) January 18, 2016

I'm not sure who had more fun today at Penrose Elementary school, me or the kids. #phled pic.twitter.com/CdItqGao5F

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) January 15, 2016