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Published on: 11/4/2007
Last Visited: 11/4/2007
The chamber is sponsoring the effort, and event organizers are hoping more citizens, organizations, churches and businesses will sponsor additional projects, according to Amy Rice, chamber office administrator and co-organizer of Make A Difference Day in Toronto.
"I've got 41 projects so far," said Rice."Anyone wishing to do a project should contact the chamber office.For anyone looking for an project idea, I have a list of ideas here at the office.We have a lot of people who are doing multiple projects."
Those interested in projects for the day must fill out a registration form for the city to get credit for projects performed, said Rice.Another form must be completed and returned to the chamber office by Nov. 6 after completion of the project, added Rice.
"(Those interested) can stop by the chamber office, 214 Main St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (today) to pick up a project form."
Rice said the office also will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
"(Those interested) can even fill out a form on Saturday and get it back to me by the end of the day," continued Rice, adding she will be in the office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Rice said scheduled projects so far include the cleanup of Newberg Landing park, assistance to local elderly and cleanup of litter on city streets.
The day of national community activism is an outgrowth of former President George H.W. Bush's Thousand Points of Light volunteer initiative and USA Weekend magazine.Toronto has been recognized for its past Make A Difference Day efforts, including winning an Encore award from the state Make A Difference Day organization for last year's effort, said Rice.
"‘The Gem City: Where the Community Shines' will be the theme of this year's Make A Difference Day effort in Toronto," continued Rice."Frances Strickland, wife of Ohio Gov.Ted Strickland, is an honorary co-chair for Ohio's Make A Difference Day organization this year along with Jim Tressel, head football coach for Ohio State University."
The chamber will be participating in three projects tied to its Dickens' holiday celebration events, according to Rice.
Dickens' Storytellers involves chamber volunteers dressing in Dickens-era garb and reading the author's "A Christmas Carol" to Toronto school children, said Rice.
Chamber volunteers also will be selling memorial luminaria at Stacey's IGA, the Special Way food store and the Kwik King food store on North Fourth Street as well as the chamber office on Saturday, Rice said.The luminaria, which will sell for $6 for one and $10 for two, will be used during the chamber-sponsored Light Up Night ceremony scheduled for Nov. 20.The proceeds of the luminaria go toward the Toronto Unit of the Salvation Army's home heating assistance program.At the same time, volunteers will be collecting canned goods for the city's food pantry for the chamber's Scrooge's Food Basket project, Rice said.
The chamber still is seeking volunteers to assist with its sale of the luminaries and canned goods collection on Make A Difference Day, she added.
"I do need volunteers for the (three) sites," said Rice, adding volunteers need not be chamber members.