You’re listening to Centex Sustains. I’m your host Christine with the Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership.

Make a Difference Day was created in 1992 by USA WEEKEND magazine and joined by Points of Light.  Together they sponsored the largest national day of community service for more than twenty years. While the organizations no longer support Make a Difference Day, the observance still positively impacts communities around the country. Volunteers and organizations have taken up the banner to help their communities in ways that best fit their needs.

Making a difference can come in many forms so this day is wide open for participation!

• Volunteer in your community or for an organization with merit.
• Be a mentor. Help a youth or another professional to gain new skills.
• Make a donation to a charity with meaning to you.
• Say a kind word of support to someone who is struggling.
• Put your skills to work. Sometimes our hobbies can bring joy to others in ways we least expect it.

This national day of doing good promotes the idea of volunteering as a positive and heartwarming event and emphasizes the impact that volunteering can have on one’s own community.  It strives to change the view of volunteering from an obligation to a privilege, helping us become a society that embraces the ideals of volunteerism.

Here are some local opportunities for you and your family to come out and make a difference.

This Saturday on October 30th is the Miller Springs Volunteer Cleanup Day from 9 to 11 am.  Miller Springs Nature Center is a 260-acre scenic natural area in the historic Tennessee Valley, which is located in the cities of Belton and Temple. The nature preserve is open to the public, at no charge, each day of the year. Visitors enjoy hiking and biking this parkland, which has more than 10 miles of trails divided into several loops.

https://www.templeparks.com/parks___trails/miller_springs/index.php

During this Saturday’s event, volunteers will pickup debris, work on trail and sign maintenance, and will also scatter wildflower seeds in Memory of Casey Claypool, thanks to the generous donation by the Claypool Family.

No pre-registration is required, simply arrive ready to volunteer, and the City of Belton will provide all the tools and equipment. Volunteers are asked to bring a large mouth bottle that we will repurposed into hand held seed spreaders. To learn about volunteer opportunities at Miller Springs Nature Center, please call the City of Belton Parks and Recreation at 254-933-5860.

Next Saturday on November 6^th, Nolanville, along with the help of the Economic Development Council, The Nolanville Lions Club, and resident volunteers, will be joining forces to tackle service projects. The goals of these projects will be to help make a difference for another person, family, or organization that needs a little extra help.

In addition to volunteer opportunities, the city will be accepting bulk trash and brush drop-offs at City Hall located at 105 N 5th street. Drop-off collection will begin on November 4^th through the 7th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

https://www.nolanvilletx.gov/page/Engage

This year’s ‘Make a Difference Day’ will have the added element of a virtual Bingo card with several ideas of ways you can make a difference at home and with your fellow neighbors. There is something for everyone to do with tasks such as separating recyclables, picking up trash, and planting trees. Residents are encouraged to gather friends, family and work with your school or office to take time out of your busy day to stop and support our community.

If you, your business, or your organization are interested in volunteering for special projects with the city or are a resident who would like to request assistance, please call Nolanville City Hall at 254-698-6335.

No matter how or where you volunteer, whether at a food bank, hospital, youth center, school, senior home, park, or animal shelter, you can make a difference in your community.

To learn more about the Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership and for local event updates, check out our Facebook page Centex Sustains. Feel free to send questions and topic suggestions for this show to centexsustains@gmail.com. Join us next week on Monday at 6:15 pm on KNCT-FM 91.3 to learn more about environmental and sustainable practices.