ATLANTA, GA. (Nov. 17, 2009) – What downturn? Family volunteering is bucking the economic tide and riding an upturn with more people giving of their time and working together toward bettering their communities. More moms, statistics show, are seeking out budget-pleasing activities for the entire family that are fun and engage their kids in civic awareness while helping others.
According to HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network, parents are increasingly seeing how respect, teamwork and compassion are traits that volunteerism seeds in their young children. Reports show that youth are genuinely glad to volunteer (88%)[1] and would be more engaged in service if their family was involved (40%)[2]. What parents perceive as the biggest challenge, however, is not knowing where to go to find existing volunteer opportunities that work for families.
As part of the increasing trend of families volunteering together, HandsOn Network is celebrating Family Volunteer Day, sponsored by Disney Parks, on Nov. 21. Commemorated annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Family Volunteer Day kicks off the holiday season with giving and service.
“Family Volunteer Day demonstrates the power of families coming together to impact their communities through volunteering,” said HandsOn Network President Amy Smith. “As Americans approach the holiday season and navigate through challenging economic times, families are looking for ways to create memories together inexpensively, as well as make a positive influence in their communities.”
HandsOn Network can help families find service projects for Family Volunteer Day and any other day of the year. Through its more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers, the network connects volunteers with opportunities that both interest them and tackle tough challenges facing communities such as education, the environment and the economy.
For Disney Parks, supporting the spirit of volunteer service doesn’t end with Family Volunteer Day. On Jan. 1, 2010, Disney Parks launches “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.” Under this first-of-its-kind program (to learn more about the program: www.DisneyParks.com), 1 million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization in 2010 will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.
Here are just a few examples of volunteer activities listed by HandsOn Network that are perfect for families looking to make a difference and enjoy spending a day in service together:
- Visit seniors and make seasonal crafts, play games or share stories
- Help sort, inspect and pack donated items at a local food bank
- Gather new or gently used books, DVDs and games for children in homeless shelters
- Raise awareness for a good cause and participate in a local charity walk
- Get outdoors and clean up or restore a park
However families choose to engage in service, family volunteering can mobilize thousands of new volunteers to meet community needs and instill a lifelong commitment to volunteering in youth.
Some of the high-impact, creative projects going on around the country this Family Volunteer Day include:
Boston Cares, a HandsOn affiliate, is hosting two events for Family Volunteer Day. Families can help the Lowell Wish Project by sorting donations such as clothing, food and domestic products, or help John Eliot K-8 School by assembling and decorating indoor recess packets that will help improved student literacy and learning.
The National Children’s Museum in the Washington, D.C., region is celebrating Family Volunteer Day at Oxon Hill Farm, an important historical landmark and part of the National Park Service. Volunteers will clear a trail as park rangers help them discover native plants and animals. The families will enjoy wagon rides at the conclusion of their successful day of service.
The Montefiore Medical Center in New York City is bringing together its employee and patient families to visit a local nursing home and entertain the residents. This Montefiore program has a dual goal: doing a good deed and establishing friendships with others from different generations.
The United Way of Larimer County, a HandsOn affiliate, manages a Family Volunteer Day program that follows the Give-Educate-Advocate-Volunteer model. Families are encouraged to: give items like books and canned goods, educate themselves on social issues in their area such as poverty, be an advocate by passing along the knowledge they’ve learned, and volunteer their afternoon by making holiday greeting cards and making journals for local youth in foster care programs.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, Disney Parksand HandsOn Network are celebrating family volunteerism and Disney Parks will give a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park to 1 million people who perform community service for a participating organization. Right now, families can visit www.DisneyParks.com to learn more about the program and how to get their free Disney park ticket.
Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at disneyparks.com. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. One ticket per person. Other terms and conditions apply. For details, see disneyparks.com.
About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation’s population and extend to ten countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million. For more information, visit handsonnetwork.org.
About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where dreams come true. More than 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling. His vision now includes a collection of five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations – Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Resort Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, China. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club, with nine resorts and more than 420,000 members; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world’s most popular destinations; Disney Regional Entertainment, which operates the ESPN Zone dining and entertainment centers; the World of Disney stores; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions. For more information and images, please visit www.disneyparks.com.
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Contact:
Jennifer Geckler
Points of Light Institute
404.979.2941
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