Make A Difference Day 2004

The national “Make A Difference Day” held on October 23, 2004, made a tremendous impact in Hillsdale County. Locally, Make A Difference Day efforts united the community by volunteers donating their time and talents helping neighbors. We were very excited at the overwhelming reponse to this countywide event and would like to thank everyone for his/her efforts in making this day a smashing sucess.

This one-day community outreach touched the lives of over 500 individuals in Hillsdale County, as an estimated 230 volunteers were involved in over 55 community projects that Saturday. This year we had 205 volunteers and 60 projects pre-registered! Countless smiles and heartfelt "Thank You's" were the volunteers' paycheck for the day. Every Make A Difference Day participant should be proud of his/her impact on our community! We are convinced that, with the continuous support of caring businesses, organizations and individuals, we will be able to make next year's Make A Difference Day even more successful.

Thanks go out to all of our volunteers, as well as our local sponsors, Alsons Corporation and Dow Automotive.

Projects included:

• Hands of Mercy distributing 200 winter coats.
• The Storehouse Food Pantry distributing food and toiletries to an estimated 57 families.
• Visiting with over 150 nursing home residents by youth groups, Hillsdale College Students, Hillsdale Academy, other students and members of the community.
• Screenings for vision, hearing, dental and blood pressure checks to an estimated 15 community members.
• Playing piano and musical instruments at Hillsdale Community Medical Care Facility, Country Meadow Nursing Home and Drews locations for residents by youth groups.
• Raking leaves at Lewis Emery Park, as well as for an elderly couple.
• Collecting and cleaning new and used toys.
• Collecting material and sewing Christmas stockings.
• Collecting items for local nonprofit agency "Wish List."
• Moving bookcases and books at St. Peter's Free Clinic.
• Spending time with animals at the Humane Society.
• Cleaning up the bike path.
• Painting the lower level of the Senior Center.
• Painting the floor at King's Kupboard.
• Staining the woodwork at Luther Hall.
• Sorting baby clothes and items at Alpha Omega.
• Over 450 students throughout Hillsdale County collected toiletries, books, toys and pennies prior to Make A Difference Day.

Events included a community volunteer breakfast hosted by St. Anthony’s Church.

Pittsford students (K-6) collected $1,068.43 in pennies for Make a Difference Day.

The schools below conducted food and toiletry drives:

Reynolds Elementary
Camden Elementary
Sauk Trail
Will Carleton
Hillsdale Academy
Mauck Elementary

Hillsdale County United Way & Volunteers In Action deeply appreciates the support of Hillsdale County throughout the year. As Hillsdale County’s provider of volunteer resources countywide, we have an ongoing need for volunteers to assist the many organizations, nonprofit agencies, and individuals in our community throughout the year.