Crabbe Elementary and City of Ashland Unite for a Cause Let’s Make a Difference!

Crabbe Elementary and City of

Ashland Unite for a Cause

Let’s Make a Difference!

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

What started as an active movement focused on bringing communities together through volunteering and community services is now on its 33^rd year of successful recognition. Starting in 1992, Make a Difference Day has been held every fourth Saturday in October. Created by USA Weekend magazine and the nonprofit organization Points of Light, Make a Difference Day has been intended to unite communities everywhere in hope of inspiring positive change. Currently titled and sponsored by USA Today inspiration continues to take shape as likeminded people come together in hope of making a lasting impact in the world.

Making a difference can come in many forms as communities find themselves in need of repairs, resources and established networking opportunities for outreach. The international day aimed to support neighborhoods everywhere isn’t a singular event as the event is held everywhere that community resourcing is available. Uniting for a cause, supporting local infrastructure, and repairing declining parks and recreational areas are some of the many avenues someone can take when considering volunteering. Foodbanks and food drives are a great way to support your homeplace as well.

Among the many kindhearted volunteers of Make a Difference Day is the third-grade class of Crabbe Elementary. When the lessons of Kentucky League of Cities’ Little Citizens made their way to the desks of Crabbe Elementary, the third-grade classrooms noticed their environment and the images that were drawn on the desks. Taking into consideration the current state of their classroom, the students decided to work together in support of their school and the community they live in. Seated on a corner of downtown Ashland’s Central Park, Crabbe Elementary is perfectly located in a scene of learning, recreation, and development. What better way to give back to the community than by revitalizing the place where they live and learn? As the third-grade class steps into their life changing journey, supplies have been set in place for them by the City of Ashland and Mayor. Painting supplies, scrapers, cleaning items, and plenty of oversight is now available and ready for eager hands to jump into action. Taking to volunteering on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 1:00 p.m. the third-grade class of Crabbe Elementary will be cleaning and repairing picnic tables and other used pieces of furniture. With hope of making Central Park “better for everyone” Crabbe Elemntary has risen to the occasion for Make a Difference Day.

If you or anyone you know are interested in participating in Make a Difference Day, there are several routes to gain a foothold in volunteering. Having sponsored the International Day of Community commitment Points of Light has your back. Available online at Engage.PointsofLight.org and JustServe.org there are several directions to local and nearby events and sponsors for the national volunteering holiday. Taking up our own methods of volunteering is also encouraged as we are guided to organize cleanups, offer skill building classes and sessions, host donation drives for local charities, and come together to support those in need by networking resources and outlets for care. Whether your cause is intended to strike back against hunger, helping children find positive outlets and resources, bettering the environment we live in, or networking others to find resources available to them, Make a Difference Day is a great way to get started.