Tulsa World: Volunteers prepare for day of service

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Volunteers prepare for day of service

By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Published: 10/24/2008 2:08 AM
Last Modified: 10/24/2008 2:42 AM

During a slump, 176 ready and able college students volunteering on a Saturday is a welcome sight.

Scratch that. Any time an extra 176 people volunteer to help Tulsa Habitat for Humanity is a welcome sight, said Jamie Cox, Habitat's director of volunteers.

Two large volunteering efforts will coincide Saturday in Tulsa to benefit local charities, and the timing is just right for nonprofit organizations that are ailing from the national financial stress, officials said.

Student volunteers from the University of Tulsa chapter of Habitat for Humanity are just one faction of 827 TU students who will participate in Service Day 2008.

They will join thousands of volunteers across the country for this year's Make a Difference Day, an annual day of volunteerism, sponsored by USA Weekend magazine.

"It's really great right now because most people this time of year are really busy," Cox said. "I think we will get a lot of work done."

Participation is not limited to groups. Individuals have also found ways to join in.

Linda Deal of Catoosa, on whom the Tulsa World originally reported in August, crochets caps to hand out at the Day Center for the Homeless in Tulsa. She has done so for three years, usually completing about 50 caps by Make a Difference Day.

Since the World's article appeared, she has received a windfall of support for her Hats for Homeless initiative. People in Oklahoma, Texas, New York, Colorado and Missouri have sent more than 200 caps, yarn

and 25 handmade scarves to her, she said. She was able to crochet about 100 caps this year.

"So many came in, and it energized me," Deal said. "It stacked up three and four bags high.

"I'm just so amazed at the people from everywhere who are helping," she said. "It's overwhelming almost."

Organizations are getting involved and making it easier for others to help.

The American Red Cross, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Goodwill Industries of Tulsa will work together on Make a Difference Day to offer a one-stop spot for donating food, clothing and blood.

The collaboration is a first in Tulsa, a news release said, and it comes at a crucial time for several agencies, which are seeing an increase in need.

Newman's Own, a food company co-founded by the late actor Paul Newman, said in a news release that it is donating a new cereal to groups participating in Make a Difference Day in 10 U.S. cities, including Tulsa, to help "fuel" their day of volunteering.

The company is also giving $100,000 to Make a Difference Day efforts.

Jarrel Wade 581-8310
jarrel.wade@tulsaworld.com

Make a Difference Day

The American Red Cross, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Goodwill Industries of Tulsa will accept donations in the Clear Channel Communications parking lot, 2625 S. Memorial Drive.

Tulsa Habitat for Humanity information and volunteer registration is available online at tulsa world.com/habitat-tulsa.

Hats for the Homeless donations will be accepted through December. For more information, go online to tulsaworld.com/ hatsforhomeless.

To search for other Make a Difference Day projects or to register for one, go online to tulsaworld.com/ diffday.

By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer

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