Written by Denise Gary
Kids Need to Read co-founder Nathan Fillion appears on the cover of the October 18th edition of USA WEEKEND to promote volunteerism in honor of the magazine’s annual event, Make A Difference Day. The star of ABC’s Castle posed with three other actors from various networks to represent their favorite causes and to encourage readers to take action to help others. Appearing with Fillion are Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse), Hayden Panettiere (Heroes) and Hill Harper (CSI: New York).
According to the article, “studies show that nearly half of all people who volunteer started because they were asked to by someone they know.” Fillion describes being asked by his good friend, children’s book author PJ Haarsma, to join him in founding Kids Need to Read to help provide books to under-funded schools and libraries, and to disadvantaged children who typically suffer from low literacy levels. Says Fillion, “If you can teach a kid to read, he can do anything.”
Created by USA WEEKEND, Make A Difference Day takes place on Saturday, October 24. It is an annual “celebration of neighbors helping neighbors” that occurs on the fourth Saturday of every October and includes millions of participants. Leading up to the weekend event, the major television networks will begin including service messages about volunteering in more than sixty favorite television shows starting this Monday. This is part of the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s I Participate campaign.
You too can take action to “make a difference” next weekend and every day throughout your life. Why limit caring to a special day?
