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The Difference a Day Makes: 365 Ways to Change Your World in Just 24 Hours
This timely compilation features 365 simple actions people can take to make an impact on their communities and the world. Each suggested action, in 16 "helping" categories, can be started and finished in a day or less, and none requires a cash donation. Readers may choose to accomplish a different step each day of the year, activate the same tool every day, or take the actions in only a particular chapter that addresses a personally favored issue. Categories include the homeless, health issues, education and children, feeding the hungry, environment, arts, honoring elders, animal welfare, pursuit of peace, and informed consumerism. Possibilities include acting as driver for a battered women's shelter; planting trees or a garden at a schoolyard; recycling running shoes into a playground surface; taking a day off from consumerism; aiding low-income students in finding grants and scholarships; helping unemployed workers put together resumes; and much more.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2004
3 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 24, 2010
I teach Sunday School in a Unitarian church. Sometimes it is difficult to assure kids that they too, can effect change in the world. Some of them feel so small and helpless.
We used this book, plus the phrases “If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.” and sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider", to show kids that you don't have to be big, or strong to make change happen, you just have to try, and go up the spout again.
Adults stood and said "I am a mosquito" or "I am a spider" and then read one idea from the book out loud to the kids.
It was very effective and a great intergenerational moment.
We used this book, plus the phrases “If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.” and sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider", to show kids that you don't have to be big, or strong to make change happen, you just have to try, and go up the spout again.
Adults stood and said "I am a mosquito" or "I am a spider" and then read one idea from the book out loud to the kids.
It was very effective and a great intergenerational moment.
January 19, 2016
While the suggestions were great, the book format for something that is more of a list, didn't quite work for me.
August 12, 2023
A book filled with bite sized ideas, suggestions, and ways to provide everyday altruism, for all ages and interests. It includes program names and website URLs for readers to learn more about certain actions.
As someone who tries to do my part to give back, I enjoyed this massive list of ways to make a difference. It got my creative juices flowing.
This book would make a good gift for parents and kids to find activities to do together, classroom activities, for anyone who needs uplifting as giving back helps the giver and recipients.
“We consume self help advice when perhaps selfLESS help is the key to fulfillment and inner peace.”
Books suggestions are grouped into interesting categories, such as Care about Kids, Keeping Peace, Honoring Elders, Mind Matters. Some ideas are obvious: recycle, plant a tree, use eco-friendly products, donate and repurpose items. Many ideas were clever and included resources (program names, websites). Examples:
- recycle old shoes, no matter the brand, through NIKE’s Reuse-A-Shoe program (NikeBiz.com)
- Volunteer to build or revitalize a playground with KaBOOM (kaboom.org)
- Donate gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories to outfit an underprivileged teen attending a dance (FairyGodmothersInc.com)
- Make a blanket for a baby through Project Linus.
- Donate picture frames to a local foster care program so kids can frame their favorite picture this one item can create a sense of home for them (I LOVE this!)
- Swap heart-healthy recipes and teach others (neighborhood kids, family) how to cook them.
Although not a big deal, the categories and order of suggestions were a little off. For example
- #61 wear pink in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- #71 clean out your closet and donate to Salvation Army
- #84 donate professional clothing to Social Services
- #86 donate to Goodwill
Instead, I would group items by types. The above list could be under “donate and repurpose” or “clothing, what to do with it.”
To make the book more interactive, I would add blank pages for readers to add their own suggestions and include “completed” boxes to check off actions. There might be something like this at the end of the book. I’ll have to update my review once I buy and finish reading the book.
Additional resources for everyday altruism is available at BenevolentPlant.com.
As someone who tries to do my part to give back, I enjoyed this massive list of ways to make a difference. It got my creative juices flowing.
This book would make a good gift for parents and kids to find activities to do together, classroom activities, for anyone who needs uplifting as giving back helps the giver and recipients.
“We consume self help advice when perhaps selfLESS help is the key to fulfillment and inner peace.”
Books suggestions are grouped into interesting categories, such as Care about Kids, Keeping Peace, Honoring Elders, Mind Matters. Some ideas are obvious: recycle, plant a tree, use eco-friendly products, donate and repurpose items. Many ideas were clever and included resources (program names, websites). Examples:
- recycle old shoes, no matter the brand, through NIKE’s Reuse-A-Shoe program (NikeBiz.com)
- Volunteer to build or revitalize a playground with KaBOOM (kaboom.org)
- Donate gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories to outfit an underprivileged teen attending a dance (FairyGodmothersInc.com)
- Make a blanket for a baby through Project Linus.
- Donate picture frames to a local foster care program so kids can frame their favorite picture this one item can create a sense of home for them (I LOVE this!)
- Swap heart-healthy recipes and teach others (neighborhood kids, family) how to cook them.
Although not a big deal, the categories and order of suggestions were a little off. For example
- #61 wear pink in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- #71 clean out your closet and donate to Salvation Army
- #84 donate professional clothing to Social Services
- #86 donate to Goodwill
Instead, I would group items by types. The above list could be under “donate and repurpose” or “clothing, what to do with it.”
To make the book more interactive, I would add blank pages for readers to add their own suggestions and include “completed” boxes to check off actions. There might be something like this at the end of the book. I’ll have to update my review once I buy and finish reading the book.
Additional resources for everyday altruism is available at BenevolentPlant.com.
April 25, 2019
There are so many gems in this book, it's incredible. It's nice to see all the different efforts one can take in order to make a difference. You don't have to have lots of money or time, she makes it something that is feasible for everyone to accomplish. These aren't always hard things to achieve which is what makes these changes attainable. I found it interesting that they had quotes through out the book of the same people though. This book should probably be updated regularly too.
December 19, 2019
Interesting idea. Some good suggestions. Not all are achievable, I think, or maybe I don't care enough about some of them. But some suggestions I will definitely follow up on. For someone to pursue all 365 would be quite the accomplishment.
July 26, 2016
Self improvement book on finding ways to be of service, From earth friendly, pets, children elderely and neighbors and holidays. Some really good ideas t follow up on. This would make an excellent gift.
September 1, 2009
Love the idea for the book. Many of the ideas are great, but many of the web sites referred to are outdated.
February 1, 2010
good reference book if you are looking into becoming more socially conscience or looking for some good service projects for yourself or family.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews