24 Ways to Make A Difference on October 24

I absolutely love this time of year.  The weather, the colors, all things pumpkin, Fall festivals, college football… and even the beginning of the anticipation of Christmas (yep, I am one of those people!) Like most people, fall is busy for me.  Between work, school, soccer and the what seems like a month-long celebration of my son’s birthday, we are constantly going.  I am sure you know the feeling of the hustle and bustle of life.  But I need you to stop for just a few minutes and make a quick plan.  OCTOBER 24, 2015. Make a difference day. Yep… you didn’t know it existed, did you?  The good news… now you do and it’s not too late to make it count! I’m sure you have a lot planned for this random October Saturday but I can assure you that you have time to squeeze in a few fun things that will make a difference – in the world, in your community or just in the life of someone special.

We came up with 24 ways to make a difference on October 24th.  Choose one or challenge yourself to do a few. Invite your friends and family to join you.  Share this post. Share the love.

1. Take cookies to a neighbor that you may not know too well or a neighbor who has been going through a tough time.
2. Ask to speak to the manager of a store or restaurant – but only provide positive praise about their employees.
3. Offer to take a neighbor or friend’s dog out for a walk.
4. Leave a dollar bill or some quarters on a vending machine.
5. Write a letter to a soldier for Bert’s Big Thank You (for information go to bigthankyou2015.com)
6. Write a letter to send to a friend or family member… just because. Bonus points for actually mailing it old school (you know, with a stamp!)
7. Drop off food and/or supplies to a humane society or animal shelter.
8. Leave a cold drink and snack in the mailbox for the mailman.
9. Start collecting the metal tabs off of soft drinks to save for a local Ronald McDonald house.
10. Pick up trash at a local park.
11. Help a neighbor with yard work.
12. Stand outside a busy grocery store parking lot and offer to help return buggies.
13. Drop off can goods to a food pantry.
14. Donate toys and clothes to a shelter.
15. Plant a tree.
16. Make it a point to genuinely compliment a few people.
17. Make a list of all the people who make a difference in your life… then be sure to let them know.
18. Babysit your friend’s children to give a break to a much deserving couple or single parent.
19. Buy a bundle of balloons and hand them out to kids at a grocery store.
20. Collect magazines, movies and books to take to an assisted living home or hospital.
21. Open the door for a stranger – with a smile!
22. Host a dinner party for a few friends who make a difference in your life. Have each family member invite one or two guests to make it a night to remember.
23. Sign up to volunteer with an organization that means something to you.
24. Make a donation to a charity (and hey… I know a good one! kidsboost.org/donate. You can even donate in memory or in honor of someone!)

So go mark your calendar and start a plan.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get kids involved and give them the opportunity to do something big… or small… but nonetheless the opportunity to do something!