William Penn Life, 1999 (34. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1999-08-01 / 8. szám
Make A Difference Day The Ninth Annual Make A Difference Day is the nation's largest day of helping others. Observed annually on the fourth Saturday of October, this special day will find millions of Americans reaching out to their neighbors, total strangers and their community. It is sponsored by USA Weekend magazine in partnership with The Points of Light Foundation. By participating, you will change lives. As a result of Make A Difference Day in 1998, 70 needy families in Chicago have new homes. A town in New Jersey now has a soup kitchen. Schools around the country have revitalized playgrounds. Inspiration often comes from those facing their own challenges in life: in Arizona, a paralyzed teen spurred 1,000 people to clean up trails and collect food. Everyone wants to help make life better. Make A Difference Day provides an opportunity—and specific ideas. It's easy to get involved. Follow these four steps to ensure • < - cessful project 2 Find a need. What needs to be done m your area? Who needs help? For ideas, contact the Make A Difference Day Hot Line at 1-800-416-3824, or call up the web site at mmv.makeadijferenceday.com. You can also try local volunteer organizations (such as the United Way or Salvation Army), your mayor's office, your local Chamber of Commerce or your favorite charity. 2 Organize your project. There's lots of help available to get your project organized. The best place to start is by calling the Make A Difference Day Hot Line and asking for a free planning guide and promotional materials. You can also seek help from local stores, schools, churches and businesses, who may be eager to provide support, supplies and volunteers. 7 Submit your plans by Sept. 10. Complete the "Step Z" form found in the Make A Difference Day planning guide and send it to The Points of Light Foundation at the address given. They will share your plans with interested volunteers and the news media. ^ Share your success story. After Make A Difference Day tell us what happened. How many volunteered? Who was helped? How were lives changed? You should also submit the "Step 4" form found in your planning guide to USA Weekend. Even if you don't want one of the awards available (see box below), submitting the form will make sure you are counted among the millions who volunteered that day. Remember: one small act of kindness can make a big difference. [WPL $2.6 million in grants and awards are available to support your project. u y0u need money to finance your Make A Difference Day project, contact your local Wal-Mart store. Each of Wal-Mart's more than 2,300 stores has $1,000 to support one or more projects. To apply, see your local Wal-Mart community involvement coordinator. Grants are first-come, first-served. Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 1. Deadline for applications is Oct. 1. So, apply early. You can continue the good work you do on Make A Difference Day with one of 114 charitable awards to be given after the day. Actor Paul Newman will donate $10,000 each to 10 selected projects, and Wal-Mart will donate $2,000 to 104 projects (two from each state, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico). Your project may also be spotlighted in USA Weekend. To apply for these awards, you must submit the entry form found in the planning guide. Charity Links For more information about Make a Difference Day and to receive a brochure to help you plan, promote and report your project, contact: O Make a Difference Day Hot Line and Web Site 1-800-416-3824 www.makeadifferenceday.com O The Points of Light Foundation Make a Difference Day 1400 Eye Street, N.W. Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005-2208 William IVnn Life, August 1999 3
