Make A Difference Day, the nation’s largest day of service, activates millions of Americans to do outreach work in their local communities.
The annual day galvanizes volunteers to take part in projects such as book drives, community cleanups and revitalization efforts, started by corporations, communities and nonprofits. The initiative also provides volunteers with tools to start their own projects.
Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light, which partners with Make A Difference Day, reminded participants that giving back is crucial and that volunteering is especially important during trying times: "Voluntary service is at the core of who we are as Americans. It is our nature to help our neighbors in times of struggle to work together to establish a more perfect union," the HuffPost blogger said in a statement. "Make A Difference Day is a special time to celebrate the power of people using their time, talent, voice and money to create change."
The HandsOn Network, Points of Light's on-the-ground volunteer arm, is a grassroots startup that has grown to 250 local affiliates participating in this year’s event.
Nationwide, organizations and volunteers are taking part with unique projects. KaBOOM!, a nonprofit that builds playgrounds in needy areas across the country, has partnered with Humana to build a will have a new multi-generational playground in Springfield, MO., on Saturday. The nonprofit will be building four in total, according to USA Weekend.
Also in the Midwest, students from Washington State Community College in Ohio, have joined forces with Senior Corps' and will be performing maintenance checks on senior’s cars, the news outlet reports.
Down south, Huffington Post blogger, Jasmine Pollard, a youth leader for Usher's New Look Foundation, will be at Georgia Southern University leading students in 101 acts of kindness.
Learn more about Making a Difference Day 2012 here.
Are you volunteering today? Let us know in the comments below.
Related
Before You Go
