Make A Difference, Westport

Home 2008 Project List Volunteer Info Donation Information Last Year's Day Registration Form Photo Album2003 Photo Album 2000

2008 Project List
Volunteer Info
Donation Information
Last Year's Day
Registration Form
Photo Album2003
Photo Album 2000

 

Chairperson-

Barbara Pearson- Rac

Members:

Annie Harnick

Nancy Lewis

Marissa Mangone

Barbara Murray

Rae Ortega

Amy Riggio

Craig Skinner

Nellie Stagg

Courtney Thomas

Paul Van Zanten

Ex-Officio

Pat Scully - Selectman's Office

Susan Santangelo

 

October 19-26, 2008

 

 

EVERYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

VOLUNTEER

ANY AMOUNT OF TIME YOU CAN SPARE WOULD BE APPRECIATED!!!!

SPECIAL PROJECTS

 

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JOIN US AT OUR HEADQUARTER SITE -YMCA  OR THE CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 9AM - 11:30 AM

 Create hygiene bags for the Norwalk Community Shelter clients

    

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JOIN US AT THE SENIOR CENTER ON OCTOBER 27 AT 10:00 AM-NOON :

       Create comfort bags for battered and abused women for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center

 

Please join us for the "Celebrate Life" Breast Cancer Concert and Candle Lighting Ceremony honoring those diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Featuring

Jodie Keogan

Culver Casson

Paris Cheffer

 

Light A Candle for someone you care about

October 20, Check in at 6 pm, Concert at 7pm

Town Hall Auditorium

Admission: Free

 

 

 

"One Person can make a difference - and every person must try"  - John F. Kennedy

What is "Make A Difference Day?"

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National Day of service on the fourth Saturday of each October.

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Encourages individuals and organization to help others in need and make a in their lives.

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Offers the opportunity--through organized projects--to lend a helping hand to an individual, a family, a cause and particularly a neighbor.  Many ways of service are possible.

 

Since this is a national "Day," who organizes and promotes it on a national level?

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The "day" is sponsored nationally by USA Weekend in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation.  Monetary grants for charitable causes are awarded to the best projects.  In 1999, two million people participated.   In 1996 and 1997, Westport was given a Regional Award in recognition of our efforts as a community!

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In 1999 Westport was a regional honoree and received a $2000 award from the Wal-Mart Foundation.  We were one of 158 awards given out nationwide.  In 1996, 1997, 1999 2000 2001and 2004 we were recognized with a local hero award.  2005 Westport received the prestigious National Award and $10,000 from Paul Newman.

Who organizes the "Day" in Westport?

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The "Make A Difference Day" organizing committee, appointed by the First Selectman, coordinates the projects and volunteers.

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Here the "Day" is extended to one week, beginning on Oct. 21 and ending Oct. 28.

TOWN OF WESTPORT HONORED

WITH NATIONAL AWARD

FOR 2005 MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY!

Town builds 10-year tradition
Westport, Conn.
Making A Difference in Westport, Conn.
Bryan Wrapp, far left, and Barbara Pearson-Rac were two of the thousands of people from one town giving a boost to others, including, from front to back, Mikell Washington, Matthew Elliott and Andrew Washington.

Each October, Greg and Emilie Wrapp's basement in Westport, Conn., is deluged with sports equipment -- thousands of shoes, balls, bats, lacrosse sticks and pads -- gathered by sons Paul and Bryan to give to needy kids. "We live in a town that is so privileged, and we drive by places that aren't," says Bryan, a high school senior. "When we bring this stuff to those towns, the kids are so grateful."

He's just one of 3,500 Westport residents who gear up each year for Make A Difference Day. For the past 10 years, the town has declared the last week of October "Make A Difference Week," and much of southwestern Connecticut has benefited.

Projects this year included a computer collection for poor children in Bridgeport, a sewing project in which 35 Girl Scout troops made 370 fleece pillows for ill children (see photo below), a coat drive by Coleytown Middle School students and a canned-goods collection to fill area food pantries.

"It's just the right thing to do," says organizer Barbara Pearson-Rac of their efforts. "We really want to foster a sense of giving in our community."

They certainly succeeded.

 

 

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E-mail us with project suggestions, comments and questions!

Makadif@aol.com


 

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Make A Difference Day, Westport, CT 2005©
For problems or questions regarding this web contact Makadif@aol.com
Last updated: September 30, 2008.