It’s all about hope for Pastor Fannie Dean and House of Prayer, especially as they invite the community to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who never lost hope.

“Our biggest word this year is hope. Don’t lose your hope. No matter what you go through, do not lose your hope,” Dean said.

In the 1960s, the civil rights activist worked and hoped for unification among all people.

“It wasn’t just a normal day in U.S. history. It wasn’t just special for the black community but for everyone because it was about bringing everyone together as one. We all share the same dreams,” said CS2 Kenya Charles, who will take part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Students from all Oak Harbor schools, Skagit Valley College and the Christian School, plus members of the military and the community will sing and dance to “Champion” Sunday, Jan. 15 at 3:30 p.m. They invite the community to come to House of Prayer, located at 620 Erin Park Road off of Goldie Road.

The group also performed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station yesterday.

“I just think it’s neat when you get someone from all the schools,” Dean said.

Jessica Vester, 10, will be performing.

“He helped the world be more fair,” Vester said of King.

High school student Claudia Fontenette said she wants to do as much as she can to remember King because without him, there might still be segregation today.

“If we forget the history, we have nothing to stand on,” said CS3 Rachel Jeanpierre, adding that the purpose of remembering is to make the world better for future generations.

Jeanpierre will celebrate everyone involved in the struggle for equal rights, big and small, because they all played a part in changing the world.

“We should appreciate the things they went through,” she said.

Dean said she hopes to see visitors and leaders from Oak Harbor attend the celebration.

“We are just asking the community to keep supporting us. They’ve got to keep hoping,” Dean said.

Monday, Jan. 16, is the official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and post offices and government offices will be closed.