Have your lodge participate in Join Hands Day on May 2, 2009 *and get $100 to apply towards your project!

Mark May 2, 2009, on your calendar and make plans for your lodge to organize a local Join Hands Day service project.  Join Hands Day is a national event sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with The Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network. It is a day when young people and adults connect as equal partners in planning an activity that fixes or improves a local problem and affirms the values of caring and working together. The SPJST strongly supports this initiative and encourages our lodges get involved on this special day!

The first step is for your lodge to find a partner organization of the opposite generation.  Who better to work with than your lodge's youth club! In the event that your lodge doesn't have a youth club, it's an excellent opportunity to get your young members involved in the lodge.

Your lodge is strongly encouraged to include other fraternal, community service, church or school groups in your Join Hands Day project.  You know the old saying:  "The more the merrier!" Then, working together, plan a volunteer project that makes life better right where you live. Food drives, trash pick-ups and assisting the elderly and disabled are all good places to start. Or, get creative and have some fun wIth the idea! You can also check out the Join Hands Day website for ideas.

SPJST lodges that pursue Join Hands Day projects in 2009 will receive a $100 cash incentive from the SPJST Hlome Office. The money must be used in developing and/or promoting their project. Please note that Join Hands Day organizers on the national level will be selecting 10 outstanding Join Hands Day projects to receive Join Hands Day Excellence Awards and $1,000. Runners-up will receive Certificates of Distinction. In lodges where there is is no youth club, lodges ars being encouraged to join forces with other area lodges and/or community service organlzations, civic, school and/or church groups.

*Please complete the following summary to receive the $100 incentive.  Form must be submitted to the SPJST Home Office on or before March 31, 2009.