SUNY New Paltz reaches out to local community for the 16th annual Make A Difference Day

NEW PALTZ — For the second year, the Office of Student Activities at the State University of New York at New Paltz is looking for local sites to host students, staff and community members participating in the16th annual Make A Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 28.

The day is the largest community service effort in the nation, rallying corporations, government leaders, charitable organizations and everyday Americans into action on one day. Millions of Americans across the country are expected to spend this day helping with volunteer projects to improve their communities and help neighbors in need.

Last year, the college had approximately 20 students volunteer at Teen Seen in New Paltz helping to set up the haunted house for Halloween. More than 50 volunteers participated last year in the day and the college is looking to triple that number this year.

Local organizations provide project materials and some direction and SUNY New Paltz students and staff provide labor. Examples of projects could include light landscaping, painting murals, food collections and clean-up projects.

Local organizations interested in participating should contact the Office of Student Activities at SUNY New Paltz at (845) 257-3025 regarding project ideas and needs within the community.

More information and a national databank of local project plans are available at the Web site www.usaweekend.com/diffday or the Make A Difference Day Hot Line at 1 (800) 416-3824.