October 24 is Make a Difference Day

For 15 years, the Christian women’s group Marys and Marthas has spearheaded Clarion’s efforts for Make a Difference Day, a nationwide day of community service sponsored by the Newman’s Own Foundation. In the past, hundreds of volunteers have worked on projects ranging from handing out meals to quilting to painting to picking up trash. This year, Marys and Marthas, in conjunction with the Clarion Chamber, is once again gathering projects to do on Saturday, October 24, and the days around it.

“It’s been so wildly successful, much more than we thought it would be,” said Karen Weld, a leading Marys and Marthas member, of past Make a Difference Day efforts.

In 2011, Marys and Marthas were one of the 10 national winners awarded a $10,000 prize and a trip to Washington DC.  According to Weld, that money was invested back into the community in books, equipment, and other donations.

“It was just fun giving that all away,” Weld said.

The year Marys and Marthas won, many individuals came together in Clarion for cleaning and service projects. The entire elementary school was also involved.

“There was over a thousand of us doing something, and part of it was that the school participated by grade,” Weld said.

For the full story, see the October 22 edition of the Monitor.