SaySo was honored with the local Make a Difference Day award (one of 503 national awards). Read the article from the Durham Herald.

Project Results

Location where Make A Difference Day Project took place:
Our Make A Difference Day project took place at 17 different collection sites across North Carolina. The SaySo Make A Difference Day �Give A Child A Smile� Rally took place in Durham (SaySo headquarters) at Holy Infant Catholic Church.

On Make A Difference Day, October 23rd, SaySo collected 2110 new or slightly used suitcases and duffle bags for all foster children in North Carolina. After the duffel bags were collected SaySo distributed these items to foster children who came to the collection sites and through foster care events such as life skills classes, picnics, socials, adoption awareness celebrations, and through their foster families. To date, over 1600 bags have been distributed with the balance being distributed before Thanksgiving.

SaySo decided to organize this project because each youth member of the SaySo Board of Directors had been impacted by having to carry his or her possessions (if they had any) in trash bags. Regardless of age, using trash bags to move about in foster care unified SaySo members. Board members knew that if they had been affected by this practice, many others had painful memories� and many more were currently being created.

This project (which SaySo named �Give A Child A Smile�) will have a long-term impact because using trash bags to carry possessions at a time when a child is being taking from the only home they have ever known creates a painful memory that is carried long into adulthood. Throughout this project volunteers encountered adults who had been in the foster care system. This project had an emotional impact on them as they faced the ghosts of their past. SaySo members knew that providing a nice piece of luggage to foster children would provide comfort and dignity during an already difficult time.

Besides impacting foster children directly, this project provided a huge awareness piece for the communities. Continued partnerships developed with local civic groups, churches, businesses, and other youth groups to continue the collection and distribution throughout the year. Funds were donated to SaySo for this specific purpose. Foster care youths also learned that the community is concerned for their welfare and when educated as to how to help foster children, the community responded. The rally included �30 Minutes of Smiles� when current and former foster youths spoke on how this project would bring smiles to so many children. This event actually created �30 Minutes of Tears� as youths thanked the volunteers and sponsors for making a difference in the lives of youths. The project generated the interest of 28 partners (the 17 collection sites plus a range of businesses and professionals) with 283 volunteers throughout the state. There is generated interest for SaySo to collaborate with these sponsors and others for future projects.

SaySo first heard about Make A Difference Day through USA Weekend in 2003

Media coverage:

1. The Durham Herald Sun covered this project via articles about the event, the results of the event, and how the Durham Association of Realtors partnered this event by raising money and collecting items to be stuffed in the bags.
2. The radio station in Rocky Mount, NC covered the event and was a collection site for SaySo members in that area.
3. The television station, WGHP � FOX 8, conducted an interview with SaySo members about SaySo and the goals of the Make A Difference Day Project.

Executive Board of Directors