Alabama Rural Ministry and Tuskegee to be Honored
Friday, April 19, 2013
Alabama Rural Ministry
P.O. Box 2890
Auburn, AL. 36831
(334) 501-4276 www.arm-al.org
For immediate release:
Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) to be recognized by Points of Light and the Make A Difference Day Committee on April 25th, 2013. http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20130419/MDDAY/304190018/2013-Make-Difference-Day-Award-Honorees
Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of service and is held the last Saturday in October. It is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with Points of Light and Newman' s Own Foundation.
Since 2006, ARM has organized a day of home repair and community service in the Auburn/Tuskegee communities. What started out as a day with two volunteers is now a day averaging 100 volunteers. This past year, on October 27 and 28th, 2012, we partnered with the students of Tuskegee University, several local volunteers and the FIJI fraternity from Auburn University. We split over seventy volunteers between three home repair sites and three community sites on Saturday and forty FIJI brothers served on Sunday doing home repair. Those doing home repair built a new porch and steps direly needed for the owner who was seven months pregnant. Additionally, they sealed a mobile home roof and hung sheets of drywall. Others cleaned a neighborhood park, helped at the new food bank, and assisted with repairs at a church being converted into a community outreach center. It was a huge day filled with laughter, joy, and the spirit of community.
We could not have done this without the leadership provided by Tuskegee students who are part of the Tuskegee Wesley Foundation. They created a design team that was headed up by the leadership of the Tuskegee Wesley Director, Sheila Bates, and fourteen outstanding students. This was an exciting journey for the students, though not their first project. They continually recognize that a small impact has the ability to change a life and a community. They worked diligently to ensure a successful day and throughout the two months of planning, the team met weekly and sometimes more. The students implemented marketing strategies, designed t-shirts, secured sponsorships and rallied their peers to become involved. Wesley students consider themselves apart of the City of Tuskegee, even if for a short time. These students desire to Make A Difference in and around their community, while impacting the world one project at a time.
As part of the effort, the Make A Difference Day organization selects ten organizations nationally to be recognized for their efforts. This year, ARM is one of those organizations that has been selected. We will be recognized at the awards luncheon and will also receive a $10,000 grant to be used towards more home repair in our communities.
We are blessed to be able to do a small part for our state!
Looking for more opportunities to serve!
Lisa Pierce
Director