500 Members Participate In Service Projects To Celebrate National 2007 “Make A Difference Day”

Gov. Mike Easley announced today that about 500 North Carolina AmeriCorps members across the state participated in service projects throughout October to observe national 2007 “Make A Difference Day.” The projects brought together charitable organizations, corporations and citizens to improve communities and help neighbors in need.

“Make A Difference Day is a tremendous opportunity for N.C. AmeriCorps members and others to participate in community service projects together,” said Easley. “These events inspire all citizens to continue helping others throughout the year.”

Make A Difference Day is the largest community service effort in the nation. According to USA Weekend Magazine, creator of the event, three million people across the country participated in last year’s day of service, helping an estimated 20 million people.

The 10 AmeriCorps programs in North Carolina sponsored events for Make A Difference Day.

Some of this year’s projects included:

UNC at Greensboro Center for New North Carolinians, AmeriCorps Cross Cultural Education Service Systems (ACCESS):

Oct. 27 – ACCESS members worked with Habitat for Humanity of Guilford County to help clear trash and brush from lots where houses will be built. Members also sorted and organized food for distribution at the Food Assistance warehouse in Greensboro. For more information, contact Sara Carpenter, ACCESS training coordinator and interim director, (336) 256-1375.

Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Corps:

Oct. 7 – T.E.A.C.H. members worked with Habitat for Humanity of Durham County on the construction of a house for a single mother of three.

Oct. 13-14 – T.E.A.C.H. members collaborated with Orange County Land Trust and Affordable Housing Outreach to provide care and activities for children while their parents received training for future homebuyers.

Oct. 27 –T.E.A.C.H. members helped Habitat for Humanity of Durham County host its annual Halloween 100 and Family Fun Ride.

For more information about all three T.E.A.C.H. projects, contact Marye Avery, AmeriCorps program director, (919) 403-6950.

Children’s Village Academy, Project CARE:

Oct. 27 – Project CARE members fed the hungry at Mary’s Kitchen in Kinston. For more information, contact Melba Lovick, N.C. AmeriCorps program director, (252) 939-1958.

ECU College of Education, Project High Expectations for At-Risk Teens (HEART):

Oct. 13 – Project HEART members worked with Habitat for Humanity of Johnston County on the construction of a house in Selma. For more information, contact Jason Myers, AmeriCorps program coordinator, (252) 328-2842.

Oct. 19 – Project HEART members kicked off the “Students Against Hunger” campaign to collect one million pounds of food to help North Carolina’s fight against hunger. Donation boxes were put in more than 30 locations throughout Craven, Martin, Johnston, Lenoir and Pitt counties, and all food will be given to food banks in those counties. The campaign continues through the end of December. For more information, contact Charis Tucker, AmeriCorps program coordinator, (252) 328-2795.

Stokes Partnership for Children, AmeriCorps and Children Together:

Oct. 26 – N.C. AmeriCorps members worked with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County on the construction of homes in southeast Raleigh. For more information, contact Brandon Eaton, AmeriCorps and Children Together coordinator, (336) 985-2676.

The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, a federal- and state-funded agency housed in the Governor’s Office, administers funding to 10 N.C. AmeriCorps programs for the 2007-2008 program year. Members tutor and mentor school-aged youth, improve the quality of care for preschool children and address the need for affordable housing by building houses for low-income families. For more information on the N.C. AmeriCorps programs, visit the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service’s website at www.volunteernc.org or call (800) 820-4483.