National Youth Service Day
Date: April 16-18, 2004
Theme: The Power of Youth Serving Youth 
Over the past decade, National Youth Service Day has brought together more than 13 million people in thousands of communities nationwide. National Youth Service Day has three primary goals: to recognize the year-round service and volunteering efforts of millions of young people nationwide; to recruit a new generation and cadre of citizens that are both participants and supporters of youth service organizations; and to promote young people as resources rather than problems in their communities. Since its inception in 1988, National Youth Service Day has grown to include more than 38 National Partners and millions of young people nationwide. For more information, contact:

Youth Service America 
1101 15th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 
Phone: (202) 296-2992 ext. 34, Email: klarson@ysa.org 
Websites: www.ysa.org and www.youthserve.net 

National Volunteer Week
Date: April 18-24, 2004
Theme: Celebrate the American Spirit- VOLUNTEER! 
National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every President since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Governors, mayors and other elected officials also make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week. Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, National Volunteer Week has become the official time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national levels. For more information, contact:

Points of Light Foundation 
Communications Department, ATTN: National Volunteer Week 
1400 1 St., NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005 
Phone: (202) 729-8168 FAX: (202) 729- 8181 
Email: VolunteerWeek@PointsofLight.org  
Website: www.1800Volunteer.org  

Proclamation from the Mayor's Office

THE BIG HELP 
Date: Every Day! 
The Big Help is Nickelodeon's grassroots campaign designed to encourage and Empower kids to volunteer in their communities. The Big Help keeps the focus on volunteering year round. In 2001, kids and adults are encouraged to develop volunteer activities in their communities that revolve around, or are geared towards preserving or cleaning our water. Kids can also choose to work with people, animals or the environment and still be part of The Big Help. Through The Big Help, millions of kids are getting connected to their communities, making a difference and having a great time. Since the launch of The Big Help in 1994, some 33 million kids have pledged over 383 million volunteer hours. With the help of adults, schools, and 27 national community based partners, kids across America continue to benefit themselves and their communities each year through The Big Help! For more information contact:

Nickelodeon's The Big Help 
PO Box 929, New York, NY 10108 
Phone: 212-846-4333; www.nick.com 

Join Hands Day 
Date: May 1, 2004
Theme: Youth and Adults Volunteering Together 
As we fast become an age-segregated society, the goal of Join Hands Day is to begin making connections and friendships across generations that will continue long after the day is over. Developing these relationships is essential to creating healthy organizations, neighborhoods and communities. No other day on the national calendar targets and develops youth/adult relationships through neighborhood volunteering. Join Hands Day is sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. For more information contact:

Join Hands Day Action Center 
P. 0. Box 3213, Naperville, IL 60566-7213 
Phone: 1-(877) OUR-11 DAY Website: www.joinhandsday.org 

Make a Difference Day
Date: Saturday, October 23, 2004 
Theme: A National Day to Help Others Nicknamed "the national day of doing good" 
Make a Difference Day is a national community service effort designed to challenge and reward volunteers. More than one million citizens are Committed to spending this Saturday "making a difference" within their communities by planning service projects and activities. As a result, the lives of millions of others are greatly improved. Every year on the fourth Saturday in October, USA WEEKEND magazine and the Points of Light Foundation with the support of Newman's Own make each Make a Difference Day possible! For more information, contact:

Phone: 1-800-416-3824 
Email: diffday@usaweekend.com Website: www.makeadifferenceday.com

National Family Volunteer Day
Date: Saturday, November 20, 2004
Theme: My Family Matters - We VOLUNTEER! 
The Points of Light Foundation launched the Family Matters initiative to encourage and engage families in community-oriented projects. The program rests on the powerful principle that a volunteering family benefits itself, the community and the nation at large. National Family Volunteer Day kicks off National Family Week (November 24 - 30, 2002) as part of an annual public awareness campaign spearheaded by the Points of Light Foundation and the Alliance for Children and Families. For more information, contact:

Phone: 1 (800) VOLUNTEER Email: FamilyMatters@PointsofLight.org 
Websites: www.pointsoflight.org/familymatters.org and www.alliance1.org 

For more Information about Seasons of Service, contact: 
Points of Light Foundation Communications Department, 
ATTN: Seasons of Service 1400 1 Street, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005 
Phone: (202) 729-8015, FAX: (202) 729-8181

How to Become a Volunteer
If you’ve never volunteered before, ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I interested in doing as a volunteer?

• Do I want to do something I am good at? 

• What do I want to learn about? Do I want to learn a new skill? Do I want to volunteer in something that is related to my job?

• How much time can I dedicate to volunteering? Do I want to volunteer on a daily, weekly, monthly, or episodic basis?

• Do I have an area of expertise that would benefit an organization?

• Would I volunteer in person, or be a volunteer online (cyber-volunteer)? Can I volunteer from home or work? How can I get to the volunteer location?

Once you have answered these questions:

1. Contact the Volunteer Center. To fill out an application, click here.

2. Call organizations that match your volunteer interest, abilities, and schedule an appointment to meet with the organization’s volunteer manager to determine how you can get involved. Ask for a tour of the volunteer facility.

3. Ensure that you have a good match between the volunteer organization and yourself before you begin to volunteer.

4. Complete any paperwork (application, background check, etc.) needed in order to volunteer.

Now you’re a volunteer!

Volunteer Center United Way of Hancock County 124 West Front Street • Findlay, Ohio 45840 Phone: 419-423-1775 e-mail: jgroen@uwhancock.org