SUNY New Paltz reaches out to local community for the 17th annual Make A Difference Day

NEW PALTZ — For the third consecutive 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 the 17th annual Make A Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.

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 more than 470 participants at 22 project sites throughout the community.

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 Beth King, internship and service learning coordinator, at (845) 257-3278 or kingb@newpaltz.edu.

For general Make A Difference Day questions or suggestions, contact the Office of Student Activities at SUNY New Paltz at (845) 257-3025 or odriscos@newpaltz.edu.

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