Tue Feb 09 2010
By LISA NICELY
Ready to make a difference?
Make a Difference Day is Oct. 24. The day was created by USA Weekend as a time for individuals to help others in their communities.
If groups register projects at USA Weekend's website, usaweekend.com/diffday, they become eligible to win awards for their efforts.
Regional awards are given out. Additionally, 10 projects nationwide will win $10,000 Paul Newman awards. Winners will be published in an April 2010 issue of USA Weekend.
In 2007, a local project by the Volunteer Connection of Northwest Ohio and the Bluffton University baseball team was named one of the top 10 projects in the nation. The project involved rebuilding flood-damaged homes in Putnam County.
Several projects in the six-county area have already been registered at the website. Volunteers are still being sought to help make the projects a success.
The Volunteer Connection of Northwest Ohio and its Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) has several projects underway for Make A Difference Day.
"The big difference for the Volunteer Connection is Brenda Delarber. Brenda started here on Sept. 21 as an AmeriCorps VISTA responsible for developing and encouraging volunteerism on Days of Service," said Bobby Olashuk, executive director of the Volunteer Connection. "Make A Difference Day is her first project with us. We have more projects registered on the Make A Difference Day database than ever before, and she is still out looking for more."
Delarber said she believes Make A Difference Day is very important.
"It's the largest volunteering day of the year," she said. "It's a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. It's important that it has an impact on local communities throughout the U.S. My goal was to get as many projects in the area going as possible in as many different areas."
More volunteers are being sought for several projects including: helping the Laurels of Defiance decorate the outside of their building for the holidays; painting the outside of the Twin Rivers Care and Rehabilitation Center and help residents with crafts; and helping the PATH Center prepare for its Halloween party.
For more information on these projects or to volunteer, call 419-782-3212.
Another such project by the YVC and in conjunction with the parks and recreation division of Defiance is cleaning up Triangle Park. Volunteers will rake leaves along the park and bag them up.
YVC volunteers will also be cleaning up the community garden. Individuals will be tearing up the drying produce and prepping the area for next year. This summer, area youth and the Ohio Master Gardeners Association set up the garden and donated proceeds to area food banks. It is hoped to do the same next year.
Another project is the Autumn Fest at Defiance Public Library from 2-5 p.m. There will be crafts, speakers and food. No volunteers are needed for the event as Bowling Green State University students are helping.
"It is incredible to see how many ways people can Make a Difference in their own backyard," Olashuk said. "We hope that this one day of service triggers the desire to make a difference everyday. Ohio has had more Make A Difference Day projects than any other state for the past 8-10 years. We are doing our part to make certain that Ohio stays first on this day."
Other groups besides the Volunteer Connection have projects set for Make a Difference Day.
Habitat for Humanity of Defiance County will be breaking ground at its new home at 919 Grove St., Defiance. The project will be going throughout the year and many volunteers are needed to help.
Habitat is also seeking volunteers to help with its ReStore project. Volunteers will be cleaning shelves, organizing materials and pricing items.
"The ReStore project starts at 8 a.m.," said Jamie Blank, executive director of Habitat. "We need people to clean and set out materials. It's preparing for the opening of the store itself. "
For more information or to volunteer for these projects call 419-782-2172, e-mail jblank@defnet.com or visit www.habitatdefco.org.
Another project in Defiance County is a powder puff football game in Hicksville to aid the local food pantry, Christ's Cupboard. The Varsity H organization will be hosting a powder puff football game with admission being a canned good to go to the local food pantry Christ's Cupboard. Individuals are welcome to come out and enjoy the game while giving to the pantry. The game begins at 6 p.m. at the football field.
Remax Realty of Defiance also is adopting a family during Make a Difference Day.
Some of the other projects in the six-county area include:
-- American Legion Post 516 Auxiliary food drive in Columbus Grove: Individuals will be delivering all food and toiletry items to the Veterans' Food Bank in Lima. More volunteers are needed. For more information, call 419-659-5232 or via e-mail at joann@q1.net.
-- Rake 'n Run in Stryker: St. John Lutheran Church is seeking volunteers to go to the homes of elderly residents and rake up their leaves. For more information, call 419-267-5266 or via e-mail at schmidty3@hotmail.com.
-- National Forgiveness Day: Center of Unconditional Love in Liberty Center is seeking volunteers to distribute copies of the "Power of Love Joy of Foregiveness No More Stress" health and wellness plan. For more information, call 419-533-4191 or via e-mail at bobmoy@wcnet.org.
Other projects will be added to list as the date approaches.
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