"We wanted to do our part"

Volunteers fed, taught, clothed and helped millions on Saturday, Oct. 27, the nation's largest day of service. Many collected for the Make A Difference Day Scholarship Fund, giving decades worth of help to families of Sept. 11 victims. Deep sentiments came with the donations.

"I turned 9 on Oct 8. I had a birthday party and had my friends make donations to your scholarship fund instead of bringing me presents. Here are the checks for the money for your fund. Please make sure it gets to the kids who need it."
Sara Boretsky, Pittsburgh
(checks totaling $535 enclosed)

"This $500 is a donation from the Monaco North Central Club. We are a non-profit organization of motor home owners who drive Monaco Coach Corp. coaches. Because we're mostly parents and grandparents, we think especially of the children left behind after this great tragedy."
Mrs. Betty Wyatt, club secretary, Isanti, Minn.

"Enclosed is my check for $100 in honor of my son-in-law, Christopher Amo, who was in the World Trade Center Sept. 11 and is a survivor."
Martha McCarthy, Fort Myers, Fla.

"I would like to donate to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund on behalf of myself, my wife Nancy, and in the name of the Marshfield R-1 School District bus drivers. Please find enclosed check [$125] to help the families of those who have lost so much."
Jim Rich, Marshfield R-1 School District, Marshfield, Mo.

"The Student Council gave away patriotic stickers in return for a donation and also designated part of the money collected from homecoming T-shirt sales to raise money. Please find enclosed our check for $555.93. We are a very small K-12 school, but we wanted to do our part."
Ansley Tollison, student council president

North Sunflower Academy, Drew, Miss.
"Enclosed please find a check for $110. Our office staff collected donations for red, white and blue bows, which we made ourselves. We continue to proudly wear them every day in support of the war against terrorism."

Angie Rifenbery, medical office assistant
Geisinger Medical Group, Kingston, Pa.

"Although I am only 16 years old, this is my seventh year participating in Make A Difference Day. This year, more than ever, it is important to combine volunteerism with patriotism. We are hoping to raise more money for the scholarship fund around the holidays."
Blair Hornstine, Moorestown, N.J.
(check for $250 enclosed)

"Can't clean or visit sick. God bless. I'm 84."
Bernardine Ratesic, McKeesport, Pa.
(check for $5 enclosed)

"My homeroom held a bake sale to benefit your scholarship fund. Here is a [$28] check for the proceeds!"
Mary Campbell Staebler, Westerville (Ohio) North High School

"Our [first grade] class collected 733 books. These books were all reading levels, all interest areas and in excellent condition! This is amazing participation, because our school's enrollment is only 192.

On Oct. 27, we set tables up at three Fall Festivals. We sold the 733 books at a nominal charge (because of the poverty in our community) and sent the contributions to the Make A Difference Day Scholarship Fund.

Our children do not have parents who can help them read because the parents are illiterate. The children in New York do not have parents who can help them read because the parents died.

Hopefully, our sacrifice, hard work and giving to the scholarship fund will 'Make A Difference' in those children's lives, as it has in ours!"
Dolly Tibbs, St. George (Ga.) Elementary School

"This [$75] donation is in honor of Anne Luzar for her 79th birthday. This is the gift she wanted for her birthday on Oct. 30. It is given by her daughter and family. "
Cynthia Monter, Wildwood, Mo.

Miss America 2002 Katie Harman works at a computer with a child at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.

Country star Toby Keith debuted his new song about America at a VFW rally.