Volunteers across the U.S. will come together on October 25, 2014 with a common mission – to improve the lives of others. For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND Magazine, in collaboration with Points of Light, has sponsored Make A Difference Day. Millions are expected to participate, making this the largest national day of community service in the U.S.
As we do throughout the year, United Ways are mobilizing volunteers on Make A Difference Day to advance the common good in education, income and health and other important issues in communities. From United Way of Marathon County in Wisconsin to United Way of the Desert in California, to United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties in West Virginia, volunteers will make a difference by doing things like reading with children, collecting and sorting donations for food banks, and supporting 5K races and other events geared toward healthy lifestyles. United Way of Northwest Georgia is seeking more than 1,300 volunteers to complete 17 service projects. United Way of Northern Ozaukee County has sponsored a collection of personal care items that will culminate on Saturday, October 25th. The goal is to collect over 5,000 personal care items for distribution to local food pantries, safe houses, and more than 20 other nonprofit organizations serving people in need.
In 2013, more than 3,000 volunteers completed over 100 projects during United Way of Larimer County’s weeklong celebration of Make A Difference Day. This year, volunteers can sign up as an individual or a group for one of dozens of projects, or they can create their own project. United Way provides resources on how volunteers can host their own Make A Difference Day project, called “Service-to-Go.” United Way partnered with local organizations to create Service-to-Go toolkits, which outline how volunteers can make useful items such as hygiene and first aid kits, blankets, alphabet flashcards and more, that they can do on their own time, and then donate these items to nonprofits in the area.
I love the idea of “Service-to-Go,” and I also love when companies do what they do best for a good cause. For example, Odell Brewing Company has created “ChangeMaker” to honor Larimer County volunteers. This is probably the first ever Make A Difference Day beer! All proceeds of sales of ChangeMaker will be donated to United Way of Larimer County.
Whether you volunteer on your own or with a team, thanks for making a difference in your communities. Here’s to volunteers, on Make A Difference Day, and throughout the year!