Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service Observes "Make a Difference Week," Oct. 17-23

Hawaii celebrates first annual event with activities throughout the state

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Isaac Watson or Tracy Loo, (808) 956-8145
Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service
Posted: Oct 12, 2004

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service (HCNCS) at UH Mānoa announces national "Make A Difference Week," Hawaiʻi‘s first annual observation, on Oct. 17-23, 2004. Various volunteer activities will be held throughout the state during the weeklong observation.

HCNCS will focus on volunteer service meaningful to people from all parts of the state while benefiting the entire community. Public and private schools have agreed to partner with HCNCS to organize activities and fundraising drives to benefit charitable organizations. Some of the participating schools and organizations and the activities planned include:

· UH Mānoa Golden Key International Honor Society — Halloween storytelling and arts and crafts activities at Shriner‘s Hospital for Children

· ʻIolani School — Food drive for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank

· Kahuku High and Intermediate School — Paint, clean, landscape and repair campus to instill pride and ownership in the school while improving the environment

· Kapolei Middle School — Students to assist in Race for the Cure, KHON2 Lokahi Project and a book drive for the Onemalu Shelter

· Mid-Pac Institute — Fundraising drive to fight Polio and activities to raise awareness and funds for Aloha United Way

· Mililani Uka Elementary — Students to collect donations and write letters to school parents who have been deployed to the Middle East

· Wahiawa Elementary — Community beautification cleanup of Wahiawa neighborhood


"This is a special opportunity for all citizens to contribute in a meaningful way, large or small, to making Hawaiʻi a better place to live," said Isaac Watson, HCNCS executive director. "Greater visibility of volunteerism and community service in Hawaiʻi will lead to increased collaboration and cooperation among citizens and organizations towards building a better community."

For more information on how to volunteer for "Make A Difference Week," contact HCNCS at
956-8145.

The Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service is based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus and administers the Hawaiʻi‘s AmeriCorps program. The Commission recognizes the state‘s unique Hawaiian heritage and the values of the many cultures and peoples. It is committed to serve Hawaiʻi‘s people; encourage participation in community service; care for the environment and natural resources; incorporate family strengths and values; build on and enrich cultural, educational and economic aspects of the community; and develop partnerships among grassroots, nonprofit, corporate, local, state, national, public and private sectors.