JOIN HANDS DAY 2010
Generations uniting to make a difference

JOIN HANDS DAY has become a noted day of service sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies to help unite young people and adults through volunteerism. JOIN HANDS DAY is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May and is now moving into its 10th year. The event gives fraternal benefit societies and volunteer organizations the opportunity to reach out to people they don’t know, to connect generations and develop new relationships, and to make a difference in their communities.

About JOIN HANDS DAY

JOIN HANDS DAY is the only national volunteer day on the Seasons of Service calendar that specifically targets and develops relationships between young people and adults through neighborhood volunteering. Youths and adults work together on an equal basis to plan, organize and implement the day’s activities. Building relationships across generations restores confidence, trust and respect for each other and creates a sense of community.

JOIN HANDS DAY is open to everyone. Even though America’s Fraternal Benefit Society chapters form a strong foundation of participants, other volunteers come from civic organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, faith groups, youth clubs, schools and more. Youth groups find adult organizations, and adult organizations find youth groups to develop a partnership for the day and develop new friendships.

National organizations that have promoted JOIN HANDS DAY to their members include the American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, the National FFA Organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Host America, Salvation Army and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Councils that plan and participate in a JOIN HANDS DAY project will receive not one, but two credits toward the council's Medal of Honor requirement. In addition to receiving a credit for conducting a JOIN HANDS DAY event, the council may also use the event as a credit in any of the other categories where a bonus might be needed. All JOIN HANDS DAY projects MUST BE reported to the Fraternal Department in order for councils to receive credits. For possible inclusion in The Sample Case, projects need to be reported by July 1, 2010.