Blog
Happy Friday! What a busy week we've had between Make A Difference Day, the largest day of service last weekend, and supporting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts however we can. We hope all are regaining power and staying safe up north. We are working with our HandsOn Network Volunteer Action Centers and partners activated across the northeast to help coordinate the volunteer response. We are currently supporting the American Red Cross and 211 operations throughout the region. Visit our HandsOn Network disaster page to register your interest to volunteer.
Here are the volunteer news from the week, including some great recaps from Make a Difference Day:
Veterans Day is an important day for me and one that changed my life. Three years ago, I was at a Veterans Day banquet watching my sister receive an award for her volunteer efforts with "Hats of Hope," an organization she started to make hats for cancer patients. I saw her doing something really incredible and was inspired to make a difference. That day, I looked around the room at the brave men and women willing to sacrifice so much for me, and realized that I wanted to give back. I remembered hearing about dialysis patients needing to control body temperature and that's how my Girl Scout Gold Award Lap Pals project was born and my passion for veterans was inspired.
Friends,
As millions of people along the east coast begin to mourn those who died and assess the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy, I find comfort and reassurance in one thing: Americans have always pulled together after disasters to lend a hand, help our neighbors and rebuild our communities. As Sandy recedes, we will unite in volunteer service once again.
Just a few days ago, three million people gathered across the country on the nation's largest day of service, Make a Difference Day. They donated food for military families. They cleaned up neighborhoods, parks and schools.