What can you do on Make a Difference Day?

For the 24th year, Oct. 24 has been Make A Difference Day – the nation’s largest day of community service. An initiative of USA Today and backed by the Gannett Company and TEGNA Inc., millions of volunteers will unite Oct. 24 to improve the lives of others.

The News-Star Media Group employees and family volunteer each year to work on a special project. This year we have chosen to help the Ouachita Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program. We will be preparing and delivering fresh soup to 100 people who receive Meals on Wheels.

In addition, a $5,000 grant from the Gannett Foundation will be presented to the COA Meals on Wheels in honor of Shirley Cagle, a longtime employee of the COA and one of the founders of the local Meals on Wheels. Cagle was murdered in her home earlier this year.

The Gannett Foundation provides the grant to help the local organizations that Gannett company volunteers assist with projects on Make a Difference Day

USA Today Make a Difference Day is available to anyone who wants to step up and do good work for the community. An individual or group of volunteers can develop a project and participate on Oct. 24. The project can be registered and volunteers can sign up by going to the website, www.makeadifferenceday.com.

With Make a Difference Day you can put into action something you know that needs to be done. From picking up litter along a stretch of roadway to making repairs to the home of an elderly neighbor, no project is too big or too small.

We often talk about what should be done – now it’s time for action.

What can you do for Make a Difference Day? If you need a hand signing up, give me a call and I’ll be glad to help.

Hope Young can be reached at 362-0278, hyoung@thenewsstar.com, Twitter @HopeYoungTNS and Facebook/HopeYoungTNS