Student volunteers hope to Make A Difference on Oct. 27.

When volunteers across America turn out on Saturday, Oct. 27, to participate in this year’s Make A Difference Day, it will mark the 10th anniversary of this national day dedicated to helping others.

This year, instead of celebrating, national Make A Difference Day organizers are asking participants to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and to pay tribute to the many rescuers and heroes who made a difference in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Locally, volunteers from many agencies will be rolling up their sleeves to help out with projects that include a children’s clothing drive, delivering meals and thermal blankets to sick and homebound residents and distributing groceries to the elderly.

At UD, students from AmeriCorps First State Service Corps and AmeriCorps Vista will be doing their part by working with the state Department of Parks and Recreation in a clean-up project, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Lums Pond State Park.

“We will be doing some volunteer work with them, including building a new bridge,” Amy Dolan, graduate student and member leader for AmeriCorps First State Service Corps, said. “It’s going to be a good time to be outside and get involved and meet other volunteers.

For more information on Make A Difference Day opportunities, call 831-0214 or send email to [adolan@udel.edu].

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