Last weekend Michiana residents joined millions of Americans in giving back to their community on Make a Difference Day. If you've been following the list of projects, you saw many of them get filled in the last few weeks as groups signed up. The wet weather forced some of the projects to be rescheduled, but overall the event was a great success with many churches, schools, and businesses teaming up with a non-profit to make a difference.

I want to thank all the non-profits that collaborated with us on this event. We had a record number of projects to offer to volunteers this year, as over 20 different organizations worked with us in providing volunteer opportunities. Not all the projects were filled, but I'm glad we were able to raise awareness of the need for volunteers locally. Our I Want to Volunteer page continues to grow with opportunities to make a difference on any day of the year, either individually or as a group.

See Pictures from Make a Difference Day

Over twenty local non-profits will be collaborating together on this year's Make a Difference Day, the nation's largest single day of volunteering. Last year over 3 million Americans volunteered as part of Make a Difference Day, and this year we're expecting hundreds of local volunteers to join the millions volunteering across the nation.

Make a Difference Michiana is proud to coordinate volunteer projects and volunteer groups through their website. Our list of volunteer projects has now grown to over 30 projects from many different groups, with projects all over Michiana.

We now need YOU to sign up to support an agency that you believe in for October 25th. Gather a team of your friends, co-workers, neighbors, or family members and browse through the list of projects for a place where you could make a difference. Once you sign up, we'll be sure to pass on your contact information to the non-profit you want to work with.

Some projects are also available on Friday, October 24th. Most projects will be somewhat flexible in scheduling. You can work directly with the hosting non-profit to figure out the details of the project.

Check out the list of projects now to find the project that fits your team of volunteers.

Just saw on the Good Works Indiana blog (which is maintained by the Indiana Office of Faith Based & Community Initiatives) a great entry about our own Center for the Homeless in South Bend. The writer (the executive director at OFBCI) was quite impressed with the Center. Great to see local agencies getting mentioned in a blog about Indiana people making a difference.

The same blog also recently recognized an Americorp member serving at Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County.

Three items of interest for non-profits:

• Benevon is hosting two free local seminars called "Major Gifts: Finding the Perfect Donors" on October 1st. In the morning they will be at Warsaw, IN and in the afternoon they'll be in South Bend. It's free but you need to RSVP online. Do that here.
  
• Americorp Funding for Indiana non-profits is available for 2009-2010, but you need to attend a technical assistance workshop before applying. The sessions are held this month throughout the state. Click here for more information.
• We're getting ready for Make a Difference Day, the nation's largest day of volunteering. Start planning your October 25th volunteer projects, and we'll soon have the ability to post these on our website.

We continue to grow the non-profit directory...a special welcome to these agencies:

Christ in Construction South Bend, IN

The Window/Meals on Wheels of Goshen Goshen, IN

Mosaic, Inc. Osceola, IN

Nature's Way Rehabilitation Inc. Bristol, IN

Readiness Center Berrien Springs, MI

CARE of South Bend South Bend, IN

Capstone Family Support Center Benton Harbor, MI

Rochester Disability Advocates Rochester, IN

Thou Wondrous Group Home South Bend, IN

Non-profit related items from all over the place:

60 million Americans volunteered last year, according to a new study. Another interesting fact: People who volunteer watch 15 less hours of TV a week than people who don't.

A growing trend: young people tying their weddings to a cause.

The people at Energize Inc. noticed that the IRS recently bumped up the mileage deduction to 58.5 cents per mile, but the deduction for driving while volunteering is still at 14 cents per mile.

Mobile Giving is probably about to explode as the next big fundraising tactic.

Compelling statistics for not ignoring this Cause Marketing thing.

Don't miss the Indiana Office for Faith Based & Community Initiatives' blog. Our area has caught their attention lately.

A beach party that will end up helping to fight the snow this winter...very cool.

Finally, I'm sad to read that The Bridge @ Studeo 315 may have to cut back in their services due to funding cut by the township. They have been doing great work meeting the growing needs of the community. Give online right now to help them through this challenge.

We'd like to welcome several new agencies to the growing directory of Michiana non-profit organizations.

Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County Warsaw, IN

Chikaming Open Lands Lakeside, MI

Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network Goshen, IN

Jaxson William Augustus Swank Scholarship Foundation South Bend, IN

This is the week for U93's Roofsit event, taking place a the Martin's Supermarket at the corner of 23 and Ironwood. 

Go to the Martin's Portal Blog (www.makeadifferencemichiana.org/martins) to get live reports from U93's DJs who are spending the week on the roof of Martins. The whole event benefits Friends of Child Abuse Prevention. Make your online donation right here.

You'll find a full schedule of events on their blog. You can also leave a comment for Rob and AJ.