Make a Difference Day is a special day of widespread charity and volunteer work, in which people from all over the country help others in any way they can. Created by USA Weekend Magazine in 1990, this day is celebrated each year on the fourth Saturday in October.
Participants are encouraged to help out in many different ways, but most especially by dedicating time to fixing-up, cleaning, and repairing poorer communities. The success of Make A Difference Day depends solely on participation. It doesn’t matter how you choose to help, all that matters is that you make the commitment to do something.
My church chooses a Saturday in October for our annual “Giveaway”. Each year everyone from our church cleans out their closets, garages, and homes and donates gently used items to the church. Televisions, clothing, books, kitchen items, holiday items, bikes, toys, tools, and much more are donated each year. We advertise our “Giveaway ” to the surrounding community. On Giveaway Saturday our church cooks a hearty breakfast for the community to enjoy before taking the items that they need. The line grows longer every year. All are welcome and everything is FREE! It’s a gratifying experience to spread kindness, walk in the spirit of giving, and make a difference in someone’s life.
If you don’t find a group or charity to volunteer with, Make a pledge this month to make a difference in someone’s life. Here are a list of suggestions:
1. Pay for someone’s meal (Maybe the car in back of you in the drive through)
2. Donate old books to a Senior Center
3. Donate crutches, wheel chairs, walkers to a Senior Center
4. Help an elderly person or a Mom with kids with their groceries
5. Make two lunches and give one away
6. Leave a small, anonymous gift for a person who needs it.
7. Help clean an elderly persons home
8. Deliver fresh-baked cookies to the Fire Department.
9. Stop by a nursing home, and visit a resident with no family nearby
10. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.
11. Distribute kindness bookmarks, or scripture that you have made to hospital patients.
12. Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person.
12. Buy books for a day care or school.
13. Slip a $20 bill to a person who you know is having financial difficulty.
14. Buy a gift card for a homeless person, or someone you know who’s struggling.
15. Donate old towels to an animal shelter.
Kim's What's Up 