October 23, 2021
CNU Men’s Lacrosse volunteer, Will C. participating in LtN’s Beach clean-up in Panama.
This Saturday, October 23rd, is Make a Difference Day. It is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of October each year. On this day, people come together in a common mission to improve society. Make a Difference Day was founded in 1992 when USA Weekend, the second-largest national newspaper at the time, suggested to their readers that they should do something good for their communities and for those in need. Their reasoning and selling point was that since that year was a leap year, and therefore had an extra day, that the day should be put to good use by helping others. Today, the holiday places emphasis on volunteerism and community service by encouraging everyone to take action in their community
There are endless examples of how one may choose to observe Make A Difference Day. It can be organizing a food drive, blood drive or recycling event, cleaning up a local park or school grounds, volunteering at an animal shelter or senior home, or helping raise money for a local charity or donating yourself. It can even be as simple as writing a Thank You card or saying some kind words to someone who is struggling. There is no shortage of ways that you can help your community or those in need and there is no gesture too big or too small! This day is the perfect way for people to give something back to the communities in which they live, work, or play. You can choose any area of need that exists within your community and find a way to help.
If you have your own great idea for making a difference in your community, you can plan your own service project for Make A Difference Day! Planning a service project gives you the chance to be a leader in your community and allows others to come together for a good cause - which is yet another way to make a difference by deepening relationships between neighbors and creating a fun day for your community! Project leaders who register a project at the Make A Difference Day website are also eligible for the Make A Difference Day awards. Each year, 14 winners each receive a $10,000 grant to donate to the charity served by their project! Be sure to check out the Make A Difference Day Website if you wish to register your own project, find inspiration for ways you can make a difference, join a service project that interests you, or read some incredible stories about how some people have helped make a difference in their community!
LtN student-athletes Denis and Adolfo help clean their community beach.
Are you still looking for a service project to take on for the big day? Join LtN’s mission to make a difference in the lives of children around the world, using lacrosse! You can donate, become an ltn champion, or even volunteer to coach lacrosse in your local area! Need tips on a youth lacrosse clinic? LtN provides all the tools and tips to get started - just shoot us a message!
Do something, anything, on Make A Difference Day this year that will help better your community and our society, and encourage others to do the same! Anyone, no matter their age or background can take action, big or small, to make the world a better place.
- Panama Program Director, Caleigh DeCaprio
#MakeADifferenceDay #NationalMakeADifferenceDay