It is funny — just yesterday I was a young girl, fresh out of college, and in the blink of an eye, 30 years went by just like that! Life is hectic and it goes by so fast. In this hectic world, it is hard to find time to give back or to make time to make a difference in the world. That is why USA Weekend Magazine created Make a Difference Day, an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of October.
This year’s action day is Saturday, Oct. 23. Each year, approximately 3 million people care enough about their communities to volunteer on Make a Difference Day. They tackle thousands of projects in thousands of communities. Anyone can participate by getting involved with volunteer projects that help others. Young or old, individuals, organizations, churches, neighbors and families — everyone can get involved.
A project could be collecting truckloads of clothing for the homeless, spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor or participating in a roadside or waterway cleanup, such as Rivers Alive. USA Weekend features volunteers and their projects in articles and photos. To participate, you can register online at www.usaweekend.com/section/MDDAY.
But don’t get lost in the process. Make a Difference Day is advertised as a “celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.” Isn’t that truly what communities really need? If people would help their neighbors and those in need, we wouldn’t need as much government intervention or government spending. The world really needs more people caring and reaching out to make a difference for others and for our Earth without being told — or taxed — to do so.
Do you want to make a difference? If so, I hope you will help with our fifth Annual Rivers Alive cleanups on Oct. 23. Last year, more than 340 local residents came out and made a difference for our waterways. I believe what we do to our world, we ultimately do to ourselves. That is a scary thought, but it doesn’t have to be — not if you choose to make a difference.
This year, we will spend a Saturday morning cleaning at least 20 sites around our county near wetlands, creeks, streams and rivers. Last weekend, a group of volunteers kicked things off with a beach cleanup on St. Catherines Island. They cleaned up more than 380 pounds of litter and debris from the lovely beach area on the north end of the island.
The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia’s water resources — big and small. Rivers Alive targets cleanups across all waterways in Georgia, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and the ocean. Rivers Alive is a statewide waterway cleanup effort sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Keep Georgia Beautiful, in collaboration with the international efforts of The Ocean Conservancy.
So, I will ask you again: Do you want to make a difference? Will you share a few hours of your Saturday with your community? If so, call Keep Liberty Beautiful today at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@coastalnow.net to register for one of the numerous cleanup events that are planned at sites across the county from Walthourville to Islands Highway. KLB will provide the cleanup supplies at each location. The first 350 registered volunteers will receive Rivers Alive T-shirts. Our sponsor, SNF Chemtall, will provide a delicious meal at Riceboro Creek for all volunteers who help on Oct. 23.
If you can’t help with Rivers Alive, consider volunteering on Make a Difference Day with one of the many groups or churches in our community. Plan now to make a difference. Life happens fast. Don’t miss your chance to make the world a better place.
Call Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@coastalnow.net.
This year’s action day is Saturday, Oct. 23. Each year, approximately 3 million people care enough about their communities to volunteer on Make a Difference Day. They tackle thousands of projects in thousands of communities. Anyone can participate by getting involved with volunteer projects that help others. Young or old, individuals, organizations, churches, neighbors and families — everyone can get involved.
A project could be collecting truckloads of clothing for the homeless, spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor or participating in a roadside or waterway cleanup, such as Rivers Alive. USA Weekend features volunteers and their projects in articles and photos. To participate, you can register online at www.usaweekend.com/section/MDDAY.
But don’t get lost in the process. Make a Difference Day is advertised as a “celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.” Isn’t that truly what communities really need? If people would help their neighbors and those in need, we wouldn’t need as much government intervention or government spending. The world really needs more people caring and reaching out to make a difference for others and for our Earth without being told — or taxed — to do so.
Do you want to make a difference? If so, I hope you will help with our fifth Annual Rivers Alive cleanups on Oct. 23. Last year, more than 340 local residents came out and made a difference for our waterways. I believe what we do to our world, we ultimately do to ourselves. That is a scary thought, but it doesn’t have to be — not if you choose to make a difference.
This year, we will spend a Saturday morning cleaning at least 20 sites around our county near wetlands, creeks, streams and rivers. Last weekend, a group of volunteers kicked things off with a beach cleanup on St. Catherines Island. They cleaned up more than 380 pounds of litter and debris from the lovely beach area on the north end of the island.
The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia’s water resources — big and small. Rivers Alive targets cleanups across all waterways in Georgia, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and the ocean. Rivers Alive is a statewide waterway cleanup effort sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Keep Georgia Beautiful, in collaboration with the international efforts of The Ocean Conservancy.
So, I will ask you again: Do you want to make a difference? Will you share a few hours of your Saturday with your community? If so, call Keep Liberty Beautiful today at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@coastalnow.net to register for one of the numerous cleanup events that are planned at sites across the county from Walthourville to Islands Highway. KLB will provide the cleanup supplies at each location. The first 350 registered volunteers will receive Rivers Alive T-shirts. Our sponsor, SNF Chemtall, will provide a delicious meal at Riceboro Creek for all volunteers who help on Oct. 23.
If you can’t help with Rivers Alive, consider volunteering on Make a Difference Day with one of the many groups or churches in our community. Plan now to make a difference. Life happens fast. Don’t miss your chance to make the world a better place.
Call Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880-4888 or e-mail klcb@coastalnow.net.