Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"
If you're unsure of how to answer that question and want to do more, Make A Difference Day is for you.
Founded more than 20 years ago by USA TODAY Magazine and Points of Light, Make A Difference Day is celebrated every fourth Saturday in October. On Saturday, October 25, millions of Americans will make a difference in the lives of others by participating in volunteer projects across the country. On the Make A Difference website, you can find a Chicagoland project to sign up for or even start one of your own.
Already booked for Saturday, October 25? VolunteerMatch.org lists over a thousand volunteer opportunities in the Chicago area. You can even search by your favorite cause, whether it's homelessness, disaster relief or the arts, or search for age-appropriate opportunities for kids, teens, etc.
We also have books to inspire and guide you on your path to helping others. Democracy Is Not A Spectator Sport features over 200 organizations with which to volunteer and stories of volunteers making a difference, and it concludes with a section on organizing a "book group with a social conscience."
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Volunteering for Teens tells young people how to get started volunteering, the different fields in which to serve and how to apply for volunteer positions, how to thrive as a volunteer and more.
And finally, to encourage kids age 8 and up to make a difference in their world, check out The Kid's Guide to Service Projects, which features hundreds of ideas to get young people inspired and involved in serving their communities.
Add a comment to: Make A Difference Day