Encore!

For continued giving, each of these 5 past national honorees receives a 2001 Encore Award of $2,000, funded by the Gannett Foundation.

San Bernardino, Calif.: Since 1995 Maxwell Air Force Base renovating homes Two universities; two brothers: Twin challenge Pottsville, Pa.: 10,000 volunteers Racine, Wis.: Inmates pitch in Check state-by-state listing for addresses for donations

San Bernardino, Calif. Herculean Make A Difference Day efforts since 1995, a 1997 national award, and even greater heights last October, when 156,000 volunteers helped 18,900 needy in 10 projects. Their feats are organized by San Bernardino County and Norcal/San Bernardino.

Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. The 42nd Air Base Wing received a 2000 award for fixing up an abandoned 20-room estate for Shepherd's Staff Ministry, a non-profit group that has housed 43 foster children. In October, the wing tackled another abandoned house, this one to be used as a shelter for victims of domestic violence. As of Feb. 23, 612 service members had volunteered 2,662 hours and raised $6,568.20 for the endeavor.

Miami University of Ohio and the University of Virginia. Twin brothers challenged their colleges to do the most good; the rivalry received a 1999 national award. The twins graduated, leaving legacies: In October, Ohio participation rose to 2,000; participation in Virginia soared to 5,000 in 23 projects.

Pottsville, Pa. When 9,700 people tackled 145 projects, helping 5,000 of their neediest neighbors, they merited a 2000 national award. Last October, volunteers topped 10,000, many of them children.

Racine, Wis. 8,600 volunteers received a 1999 national award; in October, volunteers swelled to 14,000. Among them: 25 inmates at Racine Correctional Institution who raised $400 for literacy programs by doing laps around their yard.