Make A Difference Day

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Did you know that Make a Difference Day is coming up on October 26? On this day, volunteers around the world join together to improve the lives of other people.

I bet you think this article will be about how you can go to your local nursing home and improve the lives of the residents. Nope. This article is about how nursing home residents can join together to improve the lives of other people. As I’ve mentioned before, nursing home residents receive a lot of care, but they appreciate opportunities that allow them to give care to others, too.

I hope you’ll offer your residents the opportunity to experience a few of these giving activities: 

• Write letters to people serving in the armed forces. Check out the Operation Gratitude website for more information.

• Make kindness rocks. Paint inspiring words on rocks and spread them around your community for others to find.

• Create homemade bookmarkers for your local library.

• Bake dog treats for a pet shelter. (It’s a good idea to call first to see if they have any ingredient restrictions.)

• Invite police officers to come in for coffee, cookies, and conversation.

• Make thank-you notes for vendors who serve your nursing home. Examples are the truck driver who delivers groceries, the consultant pharmacist, or the mail carrier. I bet you’ll make their day!

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• Collect used eyeglasses for recycling. You can drop them off at many optical shops, clinics, or in collection boxes at retail stores. Contact a member of the Lions Club to come in on Make A Difference Day and share how donated eyeglasses are improving lives around the world.

• Write encouraging cards to include in Meals on Wheels deliveries.

• Make care kits for homeless people in your community. Contact local shelters to find out what items to include. If you need funds to buy the items for your kits, here’s a great idea: Put out donation jars, then ask staff and visitors to drop off all the loose change they find in their pockets or purses. Also, ask them to collect all the pennies they can find in their homes. You’ll be amazed at how it all adds up!

• Collect gently used caps, gloves, and scarves for homeless shelters. On Make A Difference Day, invite a staff member from a local homeless shelter to come in and talk with your residents about their services.

• Make signs or banners to thank the staff at your nursing home for their excellent care.

I know you have other great ideas for Make A Difference Day. Please post them in the comment section!