Celebrate Pioneers Week

During the week of October 31-November 6, Pioneers across North America will celebrate their commitment to build stronger communities through volunteerism. Included in Pioneers Week is Pioneers Day, celebrated on November 2nd. This year, November 2nd is very special to all Pioneers, as it marks the anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1911.

As we celebrate Pioneers Week, Pioneers recall a century of dedication to service, fellowship and loyalty, the principals on which we were founded. Through the contributions of hundreds of thousands of Pioneers members, past and present, these principals remain as important to Pioneers today as when we were founded 100 years ago. Pioneers Week is an excellent time to reflect on our heritage and recommit ourselves to improving the quality of life for all people, especially as we celebrate our Centennial.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in Pioneers Week by visiting the VolunteerNow! section of our site to find out what events are planned in their local community.

Happy Pioneers Week and thank you for improving the places we live and work.

Make a Difference Day - October 22

Make A Difference Day is celebrated each year on the 4th Saturday in October and is the nation’s largest day of volunteering. Together with long-standing partner HandsOn Network, the generosity of Newman’s Own and hundreds of carrier newspapers, USA WEEKEND rallies millions in a single day to help change the world.

National recognition for volunteers

Helping others on Make A Difference Day — and submitting your project for award consideration — gives your favorite charity a chance to receive a $10,000 donation from Newman’s Own.

Each year, projects from across the country are honored for their contributions. Honorees are recognized in a special April 2012 issue coinciding with National Volunteer Week, led by Points of Light Institute. Award honorees will receive their awards that month at an event in Washington, D.C.

This year:

• 10 National Honorees will receive a $10,000 charitable donation from Newman’s Own.

• 3 City Awards  will recognize the volunteer efforts of three cities. $10,000 charitable donations are made in each city by Newman’s Own.

• A $10,000 Encore Award will be funded by the Gannett Foundation and USA WEEKEND. This award goes to a former National Honoree who shows continued excellence in volunteerism.

To be eligible for awards, projects must be registered in the DAYtaBANK prior to Make A Difference Day and then updated with details of the day by the deadline.

Deadline for awards consideration is December 1, 2011. 

Make Your Mark This Week

Make Your Mark Week (formerly Kids Care Week) is celebrated during the third week of October, this year October 16-22, 2011.  The week inspires and mobilizes kids to use their energy, ingenuity and compassion to “make their mark on the world” through hands-on service to help others in their local and global communities. During the week, young people focus on issues that matter most to them by doing small acts or service projects that add up to making a big difference.  

Make Your Mark Week ends on Make a Difference Day, the largest national day of service. Find out what Pioneers in your area are doing by visiting VolunteerNow! and searching for local projects.