AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have contacted local shelters to draw up "wish lists" of needed supplies for shelter facilities. Items include pots, pans, dishes, and bedding. In addition, Hecht's/Strawbridge's will donate five percent of all houseware items they sell on Make A Difference Day in the form of in-kind products. More than 200 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members will be in stores in seven eastern states and Washington D.C. on Make A Difference Day to provide information on local shelters, collect in-kind donations, and recruit volunteers.

In Nashville, Tennessee, country music singer and Make A Difference Day spokesperson, Martina McBride, will volunteer at the Safe Haven shelter. AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members across the state will volunteer at local shelters helping to refurbish facilities and provide services.

Erika Harold, Miss America 2003, will be at the Tysons Corner, Virginia, Hecht's store promoting volunteerism and domestic abuse awareness.

Participating stores include Hecht's/Strawbridge's locations throughout Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Leslie Lenkowsky, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service—the federal agency that oversees Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America—applauds the event saying, "this project is a terrific example of how the non-profit and corporate communities can collaborate to meet community needs. We expect that this coordinated effort will not only give immediate aid to women in need; it will get more citizens involved in service over the long term."

"Through Make A Difference Day, millions of men, women and young people across the country will be answering President Bush's Call to Service by dedicating their time to meeting important community needs," says John Bridgeland, assistant to the President and director of USA Freedom Corps. "We are pleased to be a part of Make A Difference Day, and hope that more Americans will make lifelong commitments to volunteer service as a result of their participation in this nationwide day of service."

Hecht's/Strawbridge's president and CEO, Frank Guzzetta says, "Hecht's and Strawbridge's 80 department stores are proud to participate in Make A Difference Day to benefit victims of domestic violence. Housewares donations will be given to shelters and transitional centers based on a percentage for the day. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, I am pleased to partner with members from AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to assist victims of domestic violence."

Make A Difference Day is the largest community service effort in the nation, rallying corporations, government leaders, charitable organizations, and everyday Americans into action on one day. Last year, a record 2.2 million volunteers participated and an estimated 22 million people benefited; $2.6 million was distributed to the charities of volunteers.

The Corporation for National and Community Service engages more than two million Americans annually in community service through three programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. It is part of USA Freedom Corps, a broad-based effort by President Bush to coordinate citizen volunteer efforts both here and abroad. Announced in the 2002 State of the Union address, USA Freedom Corps reflects the President's desire to foster a "culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility."

For more information on national service, visit www.nationalservice.org.

To learn more about Make A Difference Day, go to: www.usaweekend.com/diffday