Volunteers from the SC Family of water Suppliers install hearty, weather tolerant landscaping at the SCV Senior Center for Make a Difference Day in 2011.

[HandsOn Santa Clarita] – Think of it as V-Harmony … with HandsOn Santa Clarita serving as “matchmaker.”  The City’s Volunteer Center pairs hard-working, kind-hearted individuals looking to make a difference in their community with local non-profit organizations, parks and public schools that need a bit of tender loving care (or, in most cases, a lot of elbow grease).

As part of America’s “National Day of Doing Good,” Make a Difference Day matches individuals and teams of volunteers with a variety of service projects benefitting local schools and charities.  Make a Difference Day is hosted locally by HandsOn Santa Clarita and takes place here and across the country Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Projects are “hands-on” – from painting, weeding and tree planting to window washing, fence building and food drives (and many tasks in-between) – all designed to produce visible positive results in one day.  Volunteer forces include individuals and teams from local churches, schools, scout troops and service groups.  A number of area corporations, including Donaldson, Nexus, ITT, Aquafine, Stay Green and Yahoo, will also sponsor teams of employee volunteers

Volunteers including people from Crossroads Church and The Squares, move appliances out of kitchen in preparation for painting and cabinetry installation at SCV Boys and Girls Club.

Now in its 12th year in Santa Clarita, the event has attracted close to 14,000 volunteers and contributed an incredible 60,000 hours of combined service to schools and organizations including Carousel Ranch, the Boys & Girls Club, SCV Senior Center, SCV Historical Society, the Emergency Winter Shelter and Child & Family Center.

A number of new organizations will host volunteer projects this year, including New Leash on Life, Placerita Canyon Nature Center and the Castaic Animal Care Center.

A consistently strong turnout of caring community volunteers has helped establish Santa Clarita as the largest Make a Difference Day activity in the United States, according to HandsOn president, Brian Koegle.  A Rally saluting the volunteers and kicking off the day’s activities will be hosted by Hyatt Regency Valencia.

To register to volunteer: either as a group or an individual, call 661.257.1997 or email makeadifferenceday@handsonscv.org.

About HandsOn Santa Clarita

Since 1997 HandsOn Santa Clarita has promoted social responsibility through the advancement of community involvement by way of advocacy, education, and volunteerism.  As the local volunteer center of the Santa Clarita Valley, HandsOn encourages philanthropy and builds the capacity of non-profit organizations through administration of the Court Referral Program, national service day events, and through traditional volunteering.  By partnering local non-profits, groups, and businesses with volunteers, HandsOn Santa Clarita is able to make a difference in our community every day.