Make a Difference Day

Source: AARP.org | September, 2009

USA WEEKEND Magazine's Make A Difference Day is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Now in its 19th year, USA WEEKEND, HandsOn Network and Newman's Own, in concert with AARP and other groups, expect to rally millions of volunteers on Saturday, October 24, 2009. If you don't currently volunteer, Make A Difference Day offers a great way to start.

Everyone - young and old, individuals and groups - can carry out a volunteer project. Ideas for volunteering can be found at AARP’s Create The Good or the Make A Difference Day Idea Generator.

And this year, AARP Create The Good will provide two $5,000 charitable awards for volunteer projects that help older people stay in their homes. Ten Make A Difference Day efforts will also receive Newman's Own charitable awards of $10,000 for a range of volunteer efforts.  The awards go to individuals or organizations, but the money itself will go to a charity suggested by the award winner - another way to help spread good work.

You can enter to win an award by submitting your entry describing your project on www.makeadifferenceday.com by November 16th, 2009. Click here for more information about Create The Good awards.

Help an older person, organize your block to clean a local park, donate toys to a shelter, or help in another way. Be sure to read USA WEEKEND over the next few weeks for the latest information on Make A Difference Day and AARP's award.