More: AmeriCorps leads the way ECHO teens at the YMCA Habitat for Humanity Soaringwords uses positive phrases to inspire ill children For seven years Golden Key chapters have participated

A series on organizations in the volunteer world

Lisa Buksbaum remembers the moment she realized her life's calling. It was in 1998 -- the year her 35-year-old brother died, her father was diagnosed with cancer and her 9-year-old son developed a serious illness. To deal with the devastating grief, Buksbaum had escaped to a seaside cottage on Long Island, N.Y. There, as she walked along the beach one morning, she heard a voice within say, "Soaring words."

Volunteers decorate pillows and quilts and create artwork, like hospital murals, with inspirational messages.

"I wasn't sure what it meant, but I knew I was supposed to do something with those words," Buksbaum said in a recent interview. Contemplating the message, Buksbaum came up with an idea to use positive phrases to inspire ill children.

She founded Soaringwords, a support network made up of volunteers, charities and Internet surfers. Volunteers decorate pillows and quilts and create artwork, like hospital murals, with inspirational messages. So far, the group has reached out to more than 100,000 pediatric patients. For Make A Difference Day 2005, taking place Oct. 22, members hope to touch 100,000 more kids with the help of at least that many volunteers. To join in, go to www.soaringwords.org. "Some of these kids can get better and some may not, but all of them can heal emotionally," Buksbaum says. "Our message to them is 'Never give up.' "

Sean Mellon, 15, of Brooklyn, N.Y., plans to be among the volunteers. He knows what it means to be sick: At 3, he developed idiopathic cardiomyopathy -- an unexplained enlargement of his heart. He underwent a heart transplant and, today, takes medication and sees doctors often. "Soaringwords rocks," he says. "I like making the murals and other cool things... It makes me feel like I can actually help another person."

At the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club in Chicago, youth counselor Jerone Thadison, 16, also aims to volunteer with Soaringwords Oct. 22 with the goal of helping young people who are less fortunate than he is.

Among others planning to join in: Nia dance instructors and students, collegiate Hillel chapters, and corporations including MetLife, U.S. Trust, Verizon, Citigroup and Deloitte.