Days of Service

Days of Service are nationally celebrated events that bring people together in their local communities, schools and neighborhoods to highlight a particular need, find a solution and renew our sense of commitment to community service.

Not every community celebrates every day of service, but those communities with Volunteer Centers often have the most coordinated approach to involvement, using these days to benefit and involve volunteers in group projects in meaningful ways.

While Days of Service are high impact one-day events, they are only pieces of a larger strategic community volunteer plan. For many people they represent a way to get started in volunteering, either by oneself, with family and friends, in service organizations, or with an employer sponsored group.

The best Days of Service projects are those that stimulate and inspire you to go one step further in helping others and in solving community problems.

The most notable Days of Service are the following:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 15, 2007- To help keep Dr. King's legacy of service to others alive in communities across the country.

Global and National Youth Service Day
April 20-22, 2007 -To empower young people, highlighting their ongoing contributions to their communities and mobilizing their energy, commitment, and idealism through sustainable service

National Volunteer Week
April 15-21, 2007- To recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national levels

Join Hands Day
May 5, 2007- A day of volunteering that brings youths and adults together to improve their own communities.

One Day's Pay
September 11, 2007- a nationwide, congressionally-endorsed effort to establish a long-term, meaningful and positive way to observe 9/11 each year. Founded in 2003, the campaign has already engaged more than three million Americans in acts of community service

Kids Care Week
October 21-27, 2007- Kids Care Week is dedicated to recognizing the power of kids to reach out and help others in their local community. During the week, young people focus their compassion on a specific social issue through a service project.

Make A Difference Day
October 27, 2007- To inspire and reward volunteers. Everyone who helps others on this day and submits an entry form is eligible for a national or local award and for a cash donation to a charitable cause. Every award recipient will appear in USA WEEKEND Magazine and on makeadifferenceday.com.

National Family Volunteer Day
November 17, 2007- To call families across America to work together in volunteer service to strengthen their families, communities, local businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Many local United Ways also celebrate Days of Caring as a volunteer kick-off to their annual campaign in August or September.

To learn about your local Days of Service, contact your Volunteer Center!