Each year, college students compete against rivals on athletics, fan pride and academics. Why not harness this pride and put it toward something that can make a difference in their community through volunteering? Held annually on the fourth Saturday of October, Make A Difference Day works to rally millions of Americans into a single day of action to help make a lasting impact on the world.
This year, USA WEEKEND Magazine and Points of Light will issue a challenge to universities all over the country to produce the ultimate service project on Oct. 27. The goal of the Make A Difference Day College Service Challenge is to combine the opportunity to serve with the energy and passion held within college communities to build a community service rivalry competition.
One American university will be crowned as the 2012 Make A Difference Day College Service Challenge Winner for carrying out the best service project on Make A Difference Day.
What can your college win?
By registering your university’s service project into the Make A Difference Day DaytaBank, your school has the opportunity to receive:
- BRAGGING RIGHTS. Who doesn’t love winning? The best part is bragging about it to your rivals!
- The 2012 Make A Difference Day College Service Challenge Trophy
- Potential coverage of your university and its project in USA WEEKEND Magazine (800+ newspapers around the country, 50 million+ readers)
- Eligibility for a $10,000 grant from Newman’s Own and an expense paid trip to DC where the winner will be recognized at the Make A Difference Day Awards
The Rules/ Qualifications
In order to be eligible for the prizes of the Make A Difference Day College Service Challenge, your College or University must:
- Be an accredited institution
- Plan and manage the project entirely--involving both students and faculty of the institution
- Have at least a portion of the project take place on Make A Difference Day (Saturday, October 27, 2012)
- Enter the project into the Make A Difference Day project DaytaBank
- Report back to us about the impact you made through our DaytaBank questionnaire after the project is finished on October 27
How does your University apply?
YOU can represent YOUR university in this challenge! So, what do you do now?
- Students and Faculty/Staff: Work with your university’s “Give” or “Community Service” department to brainstorm possible project ideas, spark interest, and promote your university’s project as well as Make A Difference Day on campus and the surrounding community
- Register your project in the DaytaBank to lay out your plan and recruit volunteers
- Visit the Make A Difference Day DaytaBank and follow the prompts to “Start A Project” and fill out the information form. **Be sure to answer “YES” to the question that asks “Is your project part of the Make A Difference Day College Service Challenge?”**
- Promote your project throughout October and carry it out on Make A Difference Day, Saturday, October 27, 2012!