National Make a Difference Day

National Make A Difference Day brings community service to a whole new level each year. Organizations join forces on the fourth Saturday in October to make a difference, big or small.

#MakeADifferenceDay

Millions of people have united in the common mission to improve the lives of others.

For more than 20 years, USA Weekend and Points of Light sponsored National Make a Difference Day. It became the largest national day of community service. However, the two organizations no longer promote the community service weekend. Despite that, the event carries on, thanks to many with like-minded beliefs in their communities.

All across the country, organizations pick up the tools required to help others during this weekend. Sometimes, they pick another weekend in October. However, they do it, they do so making a difference in the lives of others and their communities. The expression of love for each other through support and good ol’ elbow grease is sometimes all we need to make a difference.

HOW TO OBSERVE MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

Making a difference can come in many forms so this day is wide open for participation!

• Volunteer in your community or for an organization with merit.
• Be a mentor. Help a youth or another professional to gain new skills.
• Make a donation to a charity with meaning to you.
• Say a kind word of support to someone who is struggling.
• Put your skills to work. Sometimes our hobbies can bring joy to others in ways we least expect it.

Do what you can to make a difference and use #MakeADifferenceDay to post on social media.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY HISTORY

Make a Difference Day was created in 1992 by USA WEEKEND magazine and joined by Points of Light.  Together they sponsored the largest national day of community service for more than twenty years. While the organizations no longer support Make a Difference Day, the observance still impacts communities around the country. Volunteers and organizations have taken up the banner to help their communities in ways that best fit their needs.

Those Who Make A Difference

• Laurence Segal’s Cans For Cancer (Bottles 4 A Cure) collects bottles and cans each year in the name of Make A Difference Day. The proceeds are donated to cancer research.
• The Center for Nonprofit Management at MSU Texas in Wichita Falls, Texas promotes an event in the spirit of the day, too. Check out their Calendar of Events for dates and times.
• Central School of Grand Cane, Louisiana will participate by spending the day sanding and painting picnic tables. The National Honor Society members are volunteering their time for this project.
• The Kiwanis Club embraces the Make A Difference Day theme each year. Learn more about their projects by visiting kiwanis.org.
• The TRIO Club at Centralia College in Centralia, Washington will be supporting the local ECEAP program with shoes and coats for 3-5 year-olds.
• The Volunteer Center in Winnetka, IL, hosts a volunteer event each year.
• Forest City, California, hosts events each year that support those in the community.
• Since 2008, Fountain Hills Arizona has been participating in National Make A Difference Day. Volunteers support a variety of opportunities to help their community and those who live there.

Do you know an organization that carries on the torch for Make A Difference Day each year? Send us the information through our Contact Us link. and we’ll add it to the list.

Source: National Day Calendar