NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
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NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
On the fourth Saturday in October, National Make A Difference Day brings community service to a whole new level. Millions of people join forces with a common mission: to improve the lives of others through acts of kindness, big and small.
#MakeADifferenceDay
All across the country, organizations pick up the tools required to help others during this weekend. Sometimes, they pick another weekend in October. However, they do it, they do so making a difference in the lives of others and their communities. The expression of love for each other through support and good ol' elbow grease is sometimes all we need to make a difference. This entire celebration is built on the powerful idea that one person, one action, or one moment of kindness can start a ripple effect of positive change.
Originally sponsored by USA Weekend and Points of Light, the event now thrives as a grassroots movement, powered by the passion of local organizations and individuals who believe in making their communities better. All across the country, people pick up the tools—whether a hammer, a rake, a pen, or just a helping hand—to support their neighbors and build a stronger, kinder world.
6 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Making a difference can come in many forms so this day is wide open for participation! Whether you have five minutes or a full day, you have the power to create positive change. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Volunteer in your community or for an organization with merit.
- Be a mentor. Help a youth or another professional to gain new skills.
- Make a donation to a charity with meaning to you.
- Say a kind word of support to someone who is struggling.
- Put your skills to work. Sometimes our hobbies can bring joy to others in ways we least expect it.
- Do what you can to make a difference and share your story to inspire others using #MakeADifferenceDay on social media.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY HISTORY
Make a Difference Day was created in 1992 by USA WEEKEND magazine and joined by Points of Light. Together they sponsored the largest national day of community service for more than twenty years. While the organizations no longer support Make a Difference Day, the observance still impacts communities around the country. Volunteers and organizations across the country have embraced the mission, tailoring projects to fit their community's unique needs and proving that the desire to make a difference is a year-round movement.
Make a Difference FAQ
Q. How does volunteering make a difference?
A. There are numerous ways that volunteering makes a difference:
- Improves skills - Volunteering improves your skills and improves the skills of others. When you share your talent with others, you also act as a mentor, showing others at least one way to do something to improve your community and the lives of those who live in it.
- Bring enjoyment - Your volunteer task may bring beauty and fun events to your community.
- Supports others - Volunteering often helps others to improve their situation. You may make it possible for someone to eat a hot meal, keep a roof over their head or make their home safer.
- Fill a need - Volunteers often step forward when they see a need in the community where they live. It may be collecting school supplies or creating an after-school program for children.
Q. Q. How many people in the United States volunteer their time?
A. According to Nonprofit Source, about 25% of adults volunteered in some capacity in 2016.
DATES
25 October 2025
24 October 2026
23 October 2027
28 October 2028
23 October 2029