In this article: NFL wants you... Game plan 1 day, millions benefit Win a volunteer vacation Action around the nation

Make A Difference Day

NFL wants you to help others

To kick off a national effort, N.Y. Giants quarterback Eli Manning talks about great returns Ð but not where you would expect them.

By Eli Manning

My Dad, Archie, was an NFL quarterback who always gave back to the community, sending autographed pictures to charities, hosting an annual golf event for cystic fibrosis and helping dozens of organizations, from the Boy Scouts to the American Cancer Society.

He never said that my brothers, Cooper and Peyton, and I had to do anything, but that if we did, we should do it for the right reasons. Because if you're not excited about what you're doing, it's not going to do much good.

I enjoy working with kids. I'm helping to raise $2.5 million for a state-of-the-art clinic at the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, Miss., a part of the University of Mississippi, where I went to college.

When I'm in New York, I visit the pediatrics department at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan.

To be honest, the first time I visited the hospital, I was a little nervous. I didn't know the rules or what to say. But soon I relaxed and realized that most of the patients are normal kids who have had normal lives, and all of a sudden they're sick and can't do everything they want to do. Sometimes they know who I am, sometimes they don't. But I just sit and talk with them and learn about the newest thing that's cool in their age group or what TV shows and video games they like.

It's amazing to know the effect you have on people by simply signing your name on a piece of paper, or getting a picture taken with a young fan and seeing them smile and have their spirits lifted. Afterward, the nurses tell me, "This kid's been excited all day. He didn't want to leave the room because he was waiting for you."

These kids look up to me and watch my football games, and it feels great to give back to them and let them know that they're in my thoughts, too.

You can get that same great feeling on Make A Difference Day by helping people in your path. Join a food drive, take your family to clean a park, ask your club or office to team up to paint a homeless shelter. Whatever you do, like my dad said, "Do it for the right reasons," and you'll do good.

Go to top

Here's the game plan for Oct. 27.

The National Football League is now the official on-air teammate for USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day. During September and October, read inspirational words from the NFL's biggest superstars in this magazine and watch for messages about Make A Difference Day on NFL Network's Total Access, during a game broadcast and on NFL.com. To learn more about the NFL's commitment to making a difference off the field and to get active in your community, visit jointheteam.com.

NFL stars in our upcoming issues:

Cannon-armed Eli Manning of the New York Giants, who kicks it all off.

Super-elusive RB Warrick Dunn of the Atlanta Falcons, shown below with Shaquille O'Neal in 2005 when they both received USA WEEKEND's Most Caring Athlete Award.

Punishing linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs.

As a final touchdown, Super Bowl champ Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and shutdown cornerback Champ Bailey of the Denver Broncos on the cover of the Oct. 19-21 edition of USA WEEKEND.

Among his efforts for kids: Eli Manning kicks off the "What Moves U" program at Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School in East Rutherford, N.J.

Go to top

1 day, millions benefit

USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day has a simple mission:

Put your cares on hold for one day to care for someone else. The nation's largest day of volunteering, Make A Difference Day inspires 3 million people to help 20 million others on the fourth Saturday of each October. This year, it's Oct. 27.

$100,000 for charity:
USA WEEKEND, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation will salute Make A Difference Day volunteers by awarding $10,000 donations to charities selected by each of 10 national honorees.

More information:
Call 800-416-3824 or go online to makeadifferenceday.com.

Sponsors:
USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day is held in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation fund the national awards.

Go to top

Win a volunteer vacation!

If you've ever wanted to make a difference somewhere beyond your own community, here's your chance to save sea turtles in Costa Rica, teach English in Vietnam or help out at an orphanage in Russia. Join the millions of Americans volunteering in their communities on Oct. 27 on USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day. Keep a photo diary of the day's activities, then submit one picture that best illustrates your Make A Difference Day giving. Our selection committee will pick one winner (and guest) to go on a paid volunteer vacation to the destination of his or her choice through Travelocity's Travel for Good Program. To learn more, visit makeadifferenceday.com.