How Assistance League got involved:
National Assistance League participation began with an idea. Past National President and Member of the Phoenix chapter of Assistance League Linda Killmer wanted to see Assistance League highlighted in the USA Weekend Magazine when they reported annually on the activities of the charities on Make A Difference Day. Linda Killmer’s commitment to volunteering and Assistance League prompted further interest in chapter-wide participation to capture the attention of the community and national press. The answer came in the form of local children’s book drives. The power of Assistance League, shown through the collaboration of each chapter, a national entry form, and sameness in the project.
ANNUAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE OCTOBER 2017
USA TODAY™ Make A Difference Day
Each year, the third Saturday in October is reserved for millions of volunteers across the United States to unite with a common mission — to improve the lives of others.
Make A Difference Day is a USA TODAY™ initiative, backed by the Gannett Company and TEGNA Inc. and in collaboration with Points of Light and the support of Newman’s Own. “Recognizing the power of Make A Difference Day, other organizations join with USA TODAY and Points of Light each year to inspire and recognize the valuable work of volunteers. Newman’s Own supports the day by awarding $10,000 to the charities of each of 10 National Honorees and three Community Awardees”.
In its 24th year, Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of community service, yet it remains a “Local Event With National Impact”, celebrating neighbors helping neighbors. The event is an inspiration to all, and the stories told around Make A Difference Day, show that anyone — regardless of age, location or resources — can accomplish great things when working to ease the issues they see in their community.
– Compiled from www.makeadifferenceday.com and Karen Mollohan, Public Relations Chair, Kansas City Chapter
2015 Highlights
Assistance League® of Reno-Sparks held its fourth consecutive USA Today Make A Difference Day reception at The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery Museum) on Saturday, October 24th. Assistance League of Reno-Sparks participates each year in promoting reading as an essential component to increasing literacy among our youngest citizens. Beneficiaries, Washoe County School District (WCSD) programs, Children in Transition and Striving Readers, were presented with over 2,500 children’s books at The Discovery Museum on October 24th. The books were gathered over a month-long book drive sponsored by Assistance League of Reno-Sparks.
Dolan Auto Group — Toyota, Mazda Kia, and Lexus — was the big winner of the “fill a vehicle with books challenge” and arrived in a Toyota Tundra filled with 1155 children’s books collected by their employees and family members.
Audi Reno Tahoe arrived in a car toting a large tub of books purchased through Scholastic. They doubled their kindness by giving books to the book drive and earning Scholastic book points for a local school of their employees’ choice.
Representatives from Dolan Auto Group, Audi Reno Tahoe, Children in Transition and Striving Readers each spoke briefly, yet the heart and soul of the event came when the donors and recipients were able to exchange their expressions of generosity and appreciation directly to one another.
Reno Buick GMC Cadillac and Barnes and Noble were unable to attend the reception yet were wonderful community partners and contributed time and books to the book drive. Assistance League of Reno-Sparks acknowledged additional community partners, AmeriCorps Vistas, Umpqua Bank, Grassroots Books and Lakeside Plaza Shopping Center. One young boy took home a super book and had a chance to have his picture taken.
Exceptional partnerships were brought about through mutual compassion. Assistance League of Reno-Sparks has served the community through philanthropic programs year-round for 40 years and always strives to form new connections, spreading their year-long charitable spirit to others in the community.