Friendly rivalry ensues between Cleveland & Pittsburgh volunteers on National Make a Difference Day

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland/Pittsburgh rivalry makes its way off the football field and into local neighborhoods the week of October 21 as Cuyahoga County residents take on Alleghany County, Pennsylvania residents for the third annual Volunteer Challenge. The two service organizations will compete for most volunteers and service hours during the week leading up to and through National Make a Difference Day, Saturday, October 27.

“Make a Difference Day is about people from all over the country coming together to volunteer,help others and make a big impact,”Jeff Griffiths, Executive Director of HandsOn Northeast Ohio said. “Of course, it’s most important to give back and improve the places we live, but we also like to add an extra element of fun by competing with our sister affiliate in Pittsburgh and challenging everyone to give more.”

HandsOn Northeast Ohio encourages all Northeast Ohio residents to participate in Make a Difference Day on October 27 and the service projects leading up to it and until October 28. Service projects include:

October 21: Serving lunch at Lakeside Men’s Shelter

October 21: Restocking the shop at Cleveland Christian Home

October 23: BINGO night with seniors at St. Augustine

October 24: Sorting and servingfood at the Cleveland Food Bank

October 25: Mural Painting at Harmony Park

October 26: Game playing with veterans at the Veterans Domiciliary

October 27: Toy Adaption Workshop

October 27: Fall Festival at Zelma George Shelter

In partnership with NewsChannel 5's Building Better Neighborhoods Initiative , HandsOn NEO is highlighting the following projects:

Harmony Park Mural Painting Party

Thursday, October 25 (weather permitting)

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

HandsOn volunteers will work with community members in the Central Neighborhood to finish the outdoor Harmony Park mural near a vacant plot. No painting experience is required.

Community Garden Winter Prep

Sunday, October 28

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

HandsOn volunteers will help prepare two community gardens for winter. Marshall Avenue and True Life Gardens are located at the intersection of E. 93rd and Marshall Ave.

Families and individuals interested in volunteering may visit www.handsonneo.org for project details or contact HandsOn Northeast Ohio to reserve a spot at (216) 432-9390.

In 2011, approximately 2,000 Northeast Ohioans volunteered on Make a Difference Day.  HandsOn Northeast Ohio,Pittsburgh Cares, and their respective affiliates engaged 4,500 volunteers in service of 20,000 hours. Last year, Pittsburgh took home the trophy; this year HandsOn NEO is looking to bring it back to Cleveland. HandsOn is proud to partner with Cleveland State University on this project.

For more information about the Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh Challenge, National Days of Service, and/or volunteer opportunities please contact: Jen Palmejar-Takaki at jen@handsonneo.org or 216.432.9390 or visit www.handsonneo.org .