McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

October 23, 2012

McAlester participates in Make-A-Difference day

By MJ Brickey Staff Writer

McALESTER — Saturday is National Make-A-Difference Day and McAlester volunteers will start prepping on Friday.

Make-A-Difference Day is the largest national day set asside for community service and volunteerism.

Make-A-Difference Day event coordinator Maureen Harrison said the event is calling for volunteers to help set up for the minor home repairs projects Friday at 6 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club at Third Street and Chadick Avenue.

On Saturday, at 7:30 a.m., the event starts with volunteers assembling at the Boys & Girls Club to receive minor home repair assignments and then the McAlester Fire Department will give the volunteers fire prevention education such as checking fire alarms and checking homes for fire hazards.

She said the event is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the public is asked to drop off canned food donations to the Boys & Girls Club during that time to be donated to local food pantry.

At 9 a.m., Harrison said, Ladell Emmons from the OSU Extension Service will conduct two seminars that last 45 minutes each and are open to the public.

The first is “Empowering Older Adults With Assistive Technology to Shop, Cook and Eat.” The second is “Emergency Preparedness.”

At 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Harrison said, Smart Start Kiamichi Country and Safe Kids Oklahoma and will hold a hands-on car seats safety check at the McAlester Make-A-Difference Day at Boys & Girls Club.

A certified child passenger safety technician will be available to provide  instruction on installing car seats and booster seats and answer any questions.

There are also a limited number of child safety seats for eligible families.  Those seeking a car seat will need proof of government assistance such as WIC, food stamps, etc., Harrison said.

All volunteers will be served a free lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club.

“Volunteers are still needed,” Harrison said. “There have been lots of requests for plastic on windows.” She said feel free to reach out to other members of the community and ask them to volunteer, if only for two hours.

Harrison said it amazing what a big difference two hours of volunteer time can make for someone this winter.

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