Schenectady, N.Y. (Oct. 21, 1999) – On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, members of the Union College Lacrosse Team will join volunteers from Schenectady 2000, Westinghouse and General Electric to participate in the national community service effort, Make a Difference Day.
From landscape improvements at the Schenectady Police Station, Museum, and Library to weed whacking and hedge trimming at the Annie Schaffer facility, Bike Path and City Hall, the city is in for a major fall clean up.
“The guys are happy to do whatever they can to help,” Union Lacrosse Coach George McCormack said. “At Union, every member of every team participates in some kind of community service project. For us, Make A Difference Day looked like a great way to contribute to the improvement of the city.”
Volunteerism at all levels is the key to a successful event, according to Debbie DeLuke, Schenectady 2000 project coordinator. “No question about it, people in Schenectady are committed to giving something back to the community,” she said. “This year, we have more volunteers than ever before, and we're fortunate to have the muscle of Union's lacrosse team. They'll get quite a workout on Saturday.”
The ninth annual Make a Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others, is sponsored by USA Weekend and its affiliate papers. Make a Difference Day is held in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation. $2.6 million in awards and grant money will be given to make A Difference Day volunteers nationally. Actor Paul Newman donates 100 percent of after-tax income from Newman's Own to educational and charitable causes. Wal-Mart is the day's retail sponsor.