“What a difference a day makes; twenty-four little hours ...”

        Dinah Washington sang it for years. Nearly two million people used 24 hours to make a big difference on the 11th Annual Make A Difference Day last Oct. 27.

        As people young and old and of many races spread out over the country cleaning parking lots, visiting nursing homes, planting flowers, removing trash and collecting items for the needy, they also raised money for the first time for the Make A Difference Day Scholarship Fund.

        They collected nearly $600,000 for the fund for postsecondary education to help families who suffered losses in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

        “People came together to make a difference for others in many valuable ways,” said Gerald Silvers, vice president of market development for The Cincinnati Enquirer, who presided at the Make A Difference Day awards ceremony last week at the Enquirer.

        Mr. Silvers presented checks to honorees from the region to “recognize and assist them in continuing their achievements in the community.”

        Top honoree was Rhonda Freeze, Trenton City Councilwoman, representing the City of Trenton.

        Trenton volunteers spread 300 tons of donated sand and gravel to create acommunity volleyball court, picked up litter along 15 miles of city streets, planted 150 mums, painted 135 storm-well lids and 75 fire hydrants, added reflective tape to 500 fire hydrants, cleaned up flower beds for retirees, and cooked meals for 40 homeless people.

        “Make A Difference Day is one of the most rewarding projects I have ever participated in,” Ms. Freeze said. “It gives you a chance to work with children and different people.”

        The volunteer group received $400, which was donated to the Middletown Community Foundation.

        Nancy Grant, president of the Middle and Intermediate Parents Teachers and Students Association, (PTSA) in Loveland, brought together 1,300 fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders who collected 4,000 items for the Loveland Interfaith Effort (LIFE) Food Pantry.

        “Our goal was to collect 120 baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said. “We collected that much and then some. We had the 1,300 students line up and we passed the food hand-to-hand to the Loveland Safety Center for the pantries.”

        The group received $150, which was donated to LIFE.

        Sharon Rinner received a check for $300 for Guardian Angels Church.

        Volunteers from the parish and school filled more than 500 baskets for babies, foster parents, and shelters for women and children. The check was donated to the Court Appointed Special Advocate.

        Carol Wissman with the University of Cincinnati's Committee to Promote Athletic Welfare and Success (C-PAWS), received $150 for volunteering to help in inner-city schools hit by the April 2001 riots.

        The money will be used for future volunteer activities.

        Make A Difference Day is sponsored by USA Weekend magazine and its carrier newspapers.

        It is held in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation.

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