Join America's Biggest Day of Service!
October 23, 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. Held annually the fourth Saturday of October, Make A Difference Day is sponsored by USA WEEKEND and HandsOn Network.
During this year’s Make A Difference Day, millions of volunteers throughout the country will participate in a variety of innovative, grassroot community projects designed to engage volunteers and community members in building strong, vibrant neighborhoods. This nationwide undertaking will include revitalizing community centers, rehabilitating parks, improving low-income homes, creating community art projects,mentoring, serving meals, developing community gardens and much more.
This historic Make A Difference Day will be a time for individuals to seize the timely opportunity
and Get HandsOn, acting upon their passion for helping others. Individuals can literally seize the day and seize the moment.
Here's How YOU can Make a Difference
Step 1. Get Your Community Involved
Provide opportunities for members of your community to participate in projects as individuals or as a group. Engage volunteers, adopt neighborhoods and inspire others by example.
Step 2. Share Your Stories
Connect with other communities and organizations from around the nation and share inspirational stories about volunteer commitment and community transformation. Foster a new generation of volunteers.
Step 3. Recognize and Thank Volunteers
Volunteer recognition is an extremely effective recruitment and retention tool. All of us want to feel valued and appreciated, and it’s been proven that recognition is the best and most productive means of doing so. Check out VolunteerSpot's free Volunteer Recognition ebook for ideas on how to say "Thank You!" to volunteers.
And while you're in the mood for doing good, check out these awesome organizations that are inspiring kids and teens to make a difference in our communities everyday:
- DoSomething!, the largest US organization for teens and social change has just published the DoSomething!: A Handbook for Young Activists it includes projects, checklists, worksheets, timelines and inspirational stories — everything a world-changer needs to turn a big idea into real action.
- GenerationOn is a centralized resource for the tools needed to empower kids through service and inspire them to grow involved in their communities. They are officially launching on Make a Difference Day, October 23.
