Make a Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of

  every October. It was created and is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine, The

  Points of Institute and HandsOn

  Network. This national day of helping

  others is promoted as “a  celebration

  of neighbors helping neighbors.”

  Each year, HandsOn Jacksonville

  organizes an event to promote

  awareness of Make

  a Difference Day. We also encourage

  groups and individuals to plan their own projects

  on this day. Past events include: a community-wide food drive; book drives; and

  coordinating volunteers for Operation Suitcase – a community-wide clothes and

  necessities collection for at-risk youth.

  HandsOn Jacksonville celebrated Make a Difference Day 2007 on October 27th in

  conjunction with their A Visit from Saint Nicholas project.  Approximately 4,500 gifts

  consisting of 3 books and 2 toys were wrapped in brightly colored paper.  On

December 7th, these books were distributed to 3rd 4th and 5th grade students in selected Duval County schools to commemorate Saint Nicholas Day.  At this time, backpacks with toys and books were also distributed to pre-k, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders.  These backpacks were stuffed on a separate day. Thank you Baymeadows Self Storage, Belks Department Store, Demetree Brothers, Fed Ex, First Books, JARU, Inc., Priority Couriers, Southland Waste, Suddath Van Lines, The Avenues, Total Office Products, and UPS for contributing storage space, toys, books, boxes, and/or packing.

Come join us on October 25th for

Make A Difference Day 2009 when

HOJ will wrap books and gifts for a new group of elementary school

  children.  If you are a member of a group interested in planning your own Make a

  Difference Day project, feel free to call the HandsOn Jacksonville office.  We will be

  happy to help.

 MADD Photo Gallery