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National Awards

for the 7th annual Make A Difference Day, Oct. 25, 1997

Bakersfield, Calif.

Cops and kids try to plant seeds of hope and unity.

National Award to Bakersfield, Calif., police, who rallied 300 residents to paint, clean and repair. Here: Janet Riley, Marquitha K. Swinton and Debbie Taylor of Christmas in April.

What southeast Bakersfield has none of: supermarkets, restaurants and convenience stores.

What it has plenty of: crime, substance abuse and gangs. Says police officer Tony Martinez: "Fear and helplessness are endemic."

To sow some hope and unity, the Bakersfield Police Department rallied 300 officers and residents to spend Oct. 25 painting over graffiti and clearing tons of street debris.

The result: As AmeriCorps and Police Activities League (PAL) youth worked, motorists honked horns in approval -- and once-wary neighbors left their homes to help.

The good effects are lasting, says Neighborhood Watch coordinator Alfonso Sierra: "Make A Difference Day has brought people out of their shells and explained that they have power to control their neighborhoods."

$2,000 award will benefit Bakersfield PAL and Christmas in April Bakersfield.

Photo Credit: BRYAN DAVIS FOR USA WEEKEND.


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Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others, is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine and its 600 carrier newspapers. Make A Difference Day is held in partnership with Hands On Network and is supported by the Newman's Own, which will provides $10,000 donations to charities selected by of each of 10 national honorees. The 18th Make A Difference Day is Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008.

E-mail: diffday@usaweekend.com
Make A Difference Day Hot Line: 1-800-416-3824