Millions of Americans to Volunteer on Make A Difference Day October 22

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans will unite this Saturday, October 22, for the 21st Make A Difference Day, the nation's largest day of doing good. Sponsored by Gannett's USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with Points of Light's HandsOn Network, the nation's largest mobilizer of volunteers, Make A Difference Day inspires millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities through a day of volunteer service.

"The actions that take place on Make A Difference Day demonstrate the best of the American spirit. Just like those who come out to volunteer in their communities, Gannett's purpose is to serve the greater good in the 100 local communities we serve. We couldn't be prouder of the positive local and national impact Make A Difference Day has had across the country over the years," said Maryam Banikarim, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Gannett Co., Inc.

Thousands of projects are planned coast-to-coast involving corporations, communities, non-profit organizations, states and individual Americans. Many of the 250 HandsOn Network Action Centers nationwide are leading projects. From HandsOn/Greater DC Cares, in Washington, D.C., to HandsOn Central California, the organization will engage tens of thousands of volunteers in service to their communities.

"Voluntary service is at the core of who we are as Americans. It is our nature to help our neighbors in times of struggle to work together to establish a more perfect union," said Michelle Nunn, CEO, Points of Light. "Make A Difference Day is a special time to celebrate the power of people using their time, talent, voice and money to create change."

The Make A Difference DAYtaBANK at makeadifferenceday.com is open to project leaders to submit their plans for how they'll help others on October 22. The interactive database also allows visitors to search for an event in their own community.  Toolkits, a marketing guide and other resources are available to help project planners.

For the first time, volunteers can also access the DAYtaBANK via their Android phones with the new Make A Difference Day app, created by Motorola and available for download at the Android Market.

Helping others on Make A Difference Day — and submitting the project for award consideration — makes the effort eligible to receive a $10,000 donation from Newman's Own, the premium food company founded by the late actor Paul Newman. A supporter of Make A Difference Day since 1994, Newman's Own provides $10,000 awards to the charities of 13 volunteer efforts recognized as Make A Difference Day honorees. Newman's Own is also providing breakfast cereal to feed volunteers at 50 projects nationwide.

USA WEEKEND Magazine will feature the award honorees in an April 2012 issue. Awards will be presented at an event in Washington, D.C., that same week. A $10,000 Encore Award funded by the Gannett Foundation and USA WEEKEND will go to a former national honoree who shows continued excellence in volunteerism.

USA WEEKEND Magazine is a national weekly magazine, distributed through more than 800 newspapers in the United States. It created Make A Difference Day in 1992. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, food and travel. USA WEEKEND is a Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) publication.

Points of Light is the nation's leading volunteer organization, with more than 20 years of history, a bi-partisan presidential legacy and the largest volunteer footprint in the nation. Its mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. The organization includes: HandsOn Network and its 250 volunteer centers across the country and around the world, generationOn, a youth service movement; and AmeriCorps Alums, the national service alumni network that activates the next generation of service leaders. For more information, visit www.PointsofLight.org.

SOURCE USA TODAY