USA WEEKEND mobilizes millions

Help pours out to needy neighbors, hurricane victims, troops overseas.

USA WEEKEND Magazine's Make A Difference Day energized an estimated 3 million people to spend a day feeding, teaching, clothing and helping needy neighbors.

Volunteers helped an estimated 30 million people. Many projects focused on helping hurricane victims and troops overseas. For a full description of events on the nation's single largest day of volunteering, which took place Saturday, Oct. 23, visit usaweekend.com and click on "Make A Difference Day."

President Bush, in a message to Make A Difference Day volunteers, described them as "armies of compassion," and he sent them good wishes from him and Mrs. Bush.

New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky had government-sponsored statewide efforts. "Volunteerism and civic participation are the most important aspects of citizenship," says Ohio first lady Hope Taft, who participated in Make A Difference Day for the fourth year in a row.

Corporations had a big role. More than 1,800 Citigroup workers in 60 cities volunteered, including teaching money management to young people. Carpet One stores gave makeovers to elementary school libraries and media centers in 100 cities. More than 500 Jamba Juice employees volunteered as the smoothie chain gave $50,000 (a percentage of designated Make A Difference Day sales) to PE4life, a phys-ed program.

The next Make A Difference Day is Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005.