Make a Difference Day In Douglas County

A group of local leaders have volunteered their time to make it possible to people in Douglas County to volunteer their time to make a difference for the community with several local projects on Oct. 22. Teams will be helping with about a dozen projects including at Green Elementary School, Hucrest Elementary School, Commercial Street Park, The FISH of Roseburg, Fullerton IV Elementary School, HIV Alliance, Phoenix Charter School, Roseburg VA Health Care System, Salvation Army, Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center and Sunnyslope Elementary. Make a Difference Day is a nationally recognized day of service that is held the fourth Saturday of every October. Organizers of the upcoming Make a Difference Day – Douglas County are seeking interested volunteers. The organizers anticipate the event will be done annually to promote volunteerism throughout Douglas County. “We affirm that meaningful and caring service is a powerful means of reinforcing unity, respect, civility, connection and personal fulfillment in all individuals and in all communities,” said Tim Juett, committee chairperson. “This came forth as an idea eighteen months ago, and I went about knocking on doors and making phone calls to various service organizations in the community. Every where I went I was amazed that it was an exciting idea for everyone. It was easy to get people onboard. We got a committee together and it gradually grew and grew to twenty-two people. I could not have even begun to get all of this organized without their help. They all have been so amazing.” The Douglas County Commissioners recognized the day with an official proclamation on Wednesday. The proclamation presented is a reminder and encouragement for residents to volunteer in the community, not just this day, but every day. Volunteers will be scheduled to serve a four-hour shift on a designated project from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 22. Those interested in volunteering can email makeadiff@ucancap.org or call 541-492-3917. Interested individuals can also fill out a volunteer form at https://forms.gle/TjDZfpTRWC76iyz46. Volunteers will be matched with projects based on their preference and space availability. For more information, visit the Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3UhzuCN. *** Photos courtesy of Tamara Howell and Kellie Trenkle from the Douglas County Office.