Days of Service

January

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service                     Third Monday in January
The third Monday in January was designated as an annual federal holiday and national day of service by Congress in 1994.  This day is to bring attention to real needs affecting our local communities.  The slogan is a “Day ON- Not a day Off”. 
www.mlkday.gov

February

Aaron Eilerts Day of Service                                        February 24
The annual Aaron Eilerts Day of Service will take place on February 24 in honor of a talented and compassionate young man, who tragically lost his life in the devastating tornado at Camp Little Sioux on June 11, 2008.  Aaron, an eighth grader at Robert Blue Middle School in Eagle Grove, truly lived with a “Spirit of Service.”  Countless Iowans’ lives were made better because of Aaron’s understanding of one simple truth: service to family, community and friends is something which links us all. 
http://www.volunteeriowa.org/eilerts.html

April

Global Youth Service Day                            Over a weekend in late April 
Global Youth Service Day is an annual event organized by Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network, together with a consortium of International Organizations and more than 100 National Coordinating Committees.
http://gysd.org/

National Volunteer Week                                           One week in April
A nationwide initiative to recognize and celebrate the tremendous efforts of volunteers.
www.handsonnetwork.org/events/nvw2010

Iowa Shelter Awareness Day                                      Saturday in April                                             
A day to raise awareness of organizations that provide shelter and other critical support services to Iowa’s at-risk youth and domestic violence victims.
www.volunteeriowa.org

May

Join Hands Day                                                 May  
This national event unites young people and adults in an effort to make their neighborhoods better. The day brings youth and adults together as equal partners in planning an activity that fixes or improves a local problem.
http://joinhandsday.org/

AmeriCorps Week                                          May
AmeriCorps Week provides the perfect opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on AmeriCorps and to motivate more Americans to serve. Individuals and organizations with a special interest in AmeriCorps—especially, members, programs, and alums—are encouraged to use their creativity to mark the week in any way they see fit.
http://www.americorpsweek.gov/

September

September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance                              September 11
A national movement launched in 2003 to establish 9/11 as a national day of kindness, service and reflection by volunteering, helping others in need, or doing something good for your community.
http://911dayofservice.org/

Senior Corps Week                                         September
Senior Corps Week is an opportunity to highlight the impact of Seniors Corps volunteers in Iowa, celebrate their service, and invite others to join. Senior Corps connects today’s over 55’s with the people and organizations that need them most; they volunteer as mentors, coaches, companions to people in need, and contribute valuable experience and job skills. 
http://www.seniorcorps.gov/

October

Make A Difference Day                                                 October
Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others, is sponsored annually by USA WEEKEND Magazine and its 700 carrier newspapers. Make A Difference Day takes place on the 4th Saturday in October each year. This is a national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. 
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/MakeADifferenceDay