On Saturday, October 22, individuals and groups in San Luis Obispo County are invited to come together in the spirit of community and volunteerism to lend a hand to local nonprofit agencies, as a part of Make a Difference Day.

As one of San Luis Obispo County’s largest single-day volunteer events, participants can choose from approximately 30 projects around the county, ranging from environmental clean-ups to helping seniors or children. Check-in and breakfast is at 9 a.m. in Chumash Auditorium at Cal Poly, and service projects last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants are provided with a free continental breakfast and lunch as well as an event t-shirt; parking is free in the Grand Avenue parking structure on campus. Volunteers are encouraged to dress comfortably, wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and gardening gloves.

Last year over 25 Make a Difference Day projects were scheduled with organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy, One Cool Earth, SLO County Historical Society, SLO Botanical Garden, the Alzheimers Association, and the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County, among many others. Over 400 community members and college students from all over the county participated in the event. Make a Difference Day is recognized nationally and organized locally by the Community CENTER at Cal Poly and co-sponsored by United Way of San Luis Obispo County.

Individual volunteers will be able to sign up in advance by visiting www.volunteerslo.org or the morning of the event at Chumash Auditorium. Groups that would like to volunteer together may sign up by calling Alicia Ginsberg at (805) 756-5834.

For more information about Make a Difference Day, contact Charlene Rosales at (805) 541-1234.