Millions Rally to Help Others on Make A Difference Day - Volunteer Projects Take Place Across the U. S. on October 26
Sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, 12-year-old Make A Difference Day is the nation¡¦s largest day of service. All 50 governors support the day, with state-wide volunteer projects in Delaware, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio.
(PRWEB) October 11, 2002
Washington, D. C. ¡X An estimated three million Americans are expected to volunteer in their local communities on Make A Difference Day, Saturday, October 26.
Sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, 12-year-old Make A Difference Day is the nation¡¦s largest day of service. All 50 governors support the day, with state-wide volunteer projects in Delaware, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio.
Paul Newman and his food company, Newman¡¦s Own, are supporting Make A Difference Day for the 9th year. He will help select 10 volunteers to receive National Awards of $10,000 each to share with their local charities. ¡§Volunteerism is the best part of America,¡¨ says Newman.
Volunteering¡¦s positive experiences build self-esteem, community and quality of life. In fact, scientific studies show that volunteering can help reduce stress and lengthen life.
Thousands of specific October 26 plans are listed at www. makeadifferenceday. com (click on ¡§Find a Project¡¨). A few examples:
ƒÞ Celebrities Martina McBride, Vanna White and Wynonna Judd spearhead literacy and homelessness projects.
ƒÞ Prisoners at the Brooklyn (NY) Correctional Institution fund a child safety program that makes digital fingerprints and photographs of children.
ƒÞ Adult survivors of child sex abuse join a city-government sponsored "Celebrate the Child Within Day" to heal from their traumas. Place: Porterville, CA.
ƒÞ Delta Airlines flight attendants band together to clean up Dockweiler Beach (visible from planes arriving and departing Los Angeles International Airport).
ƒÞ Volunteers from every branch of government in Broward County, FL (Fort Lauderdale) take part in projects ranging from environmental cleanups to child safety seat inspections.
ƒÞ In New Jersey, 80,000 state employees collect 100,000 books for early readers ¡X with a push for Spanish titles.
ƒÞ Citigroup employees in New York City fulfill wish lists of 40 classrooms at the High School of Economics and Finance in Ground Zero¡¦s backyard.
USA WEEKEND Magazine is distributed by more than 590 newspapers nationwide. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, personal finance and technology. The magazine provides Newspaper in Education classroom guides to partner newspapers. USA WEEKEND Magazine is a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc. the international news and information company.
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life ¡X corporations, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth and older adults ¡X to volunteer. By calling 1-800-VOLUNTEER, or visiting www.1800volunteer. org, interested persons can get connected to volunteer opportunities within their communities.
