William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-12-01 / 12. szám
Charitable Ideas Winning Ideas Twenty Join Hands Day projects receive recognition for excellence EDITOR’S NOTE: We call this feature of our publication "Charitable Ideas" because it provides you ideas on how you can serve in your community. This month's article features 20 volunteer projects which recently received Excellence Awards from the organizers of Join Hands Day. We hope these awardwinning projects will inspire those members and brandies looking for ways to serve their neighbors on Join Hands Day or any day of the year. NAPERVILLE, IL - Twenty Join Hands Day Excellence Awards were announced in September at the Hilton Washington and Towers in Washington, D.C. The 20 awardees were selected from thousands of volunteer projects that developed youth and adult partnerships on Join Hands Day, held June 21. Each award-winning project receives $1,000 and a distinctive glass award. Coordinating groups choose how the funds are used. Some organizations donate the money to the beneficiary of the project or another benevolent cause. Others choose to save it as seed money for next year's event. In addition to the Excellence Awards, another 10 projects achieved honorable mention status and were given Certificates of Distinction. America's Fraternal Benefit Societies, in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network, sponsor Join Hands Day. This is the only national day on America's calendar that focuses on youth and adult partnership volunteering. The event was developed to mobilize volunteers to create new partnerships to break down the generational divide and result in improved communities. The Join Hands Day awards were presented in conjunction with the 117th Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America, the Association of America's Fraternal Benefit Societies. Choosing Winners In selecting Excellence Award recipients, the most important consideration is the quality of the youth and adult partnership in planning and conducting the event. Other criteria include the quality of the project to the community or persons in need, effectiveness of the mobilization group and the potential for relationships to continue after Join Hands Day. "This is a day when volunteer organizations reach out to people they don't know, to connect generations and develop relationships that would never happen otherwise," said Frederick H. Grubbe, Join Hands Day president. "President George W. Bush established his domestic agenda based on 'compassionate conservatism.' Every year his commitment to service moves Americans to volunteer. And what better focus than helping young people and adults gain trust and respect for each other while doing good things to improve their own communities?" Participation in Join Hands Day does break down generation barriers. Fifty percent of adults and 50 percent of young people who participate improve their attitudes toward each other, according to researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Nine out of 10 people like the experience so much, they would do it again. 2003 Excellence Award Winners Jackson, Alabama. A family fun and game day for all Jackson seniors was organized by Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society Lodges 1024 and 1949 with the Active Seniors Community Club at the Jackson Health Care facility. Activity directors of several retirement communities provided counsel and helped coordi-6 Williaa Feu Life, December 2003
