Delaware County’s Largest Day of Volunteering Marks 20 Years on Nov. 14
Delaware, Ohio – Make A Difference Delaware County (MDDC), the single largest day of volunteering in Delaware County, is celebrating its 20th consecutive annual event on Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to noon.
Connections Volunteer Center, a community program of HelpLine, has hosted MDDC from the beginning. Suzanne Pingry, Program Director for Connections Volunteer Center, has watched the program’s volunteer numbers grow exponentially over the years, from just 36 in 2007 to over 400 volunteers in 2025.
Pingry shared, “It’s become a wonderful community tradition and a testament to the adage ‘many hands make light work’, as we typically complete close to 100 service projects in one morning.”
Last year, volunteers of all ages participated and helped with leaf raking and other outdoor chores at 96 homes of older adults and three nonprofit organizations.
The event welcomes individuals and groups including families, school teams/clubs, civic organizations and businesses. Volunteers make homes safer for older adults and experience the magic of volunteering.
Margie West, who has since retired from Connections Volunteer Center, said that inspiring the spirit of service was the goal from the beginning.
“I wanted to find a way to get more people involved,” West said. “My hope was the experience would tug at their hearts, and they would get hooked on volunteering.”
Beyond the event’s longevity and growth, West shared that MDDC is special because it provides a bonding experience. Volunteers bond with one another and often with the recipients of the service. Many older adults can’t complete outdoor chores on their own and don’t have family or friends nearby to help.
“I have seen seniors well up with tears of gratitude; it’s really neat to see how it benefits both the recipient and the volunteer,” West commented.
Older adults are relieved of tasks they can no longer manage alone, volunteers discover the value of serving together, and the connections made extend beyond one single morning.
Volunteer registration is open through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at ConnectionsVolunteerCenter.org. Click the GetConnected button to register or call Connections Volunteer Center at (740) 363.5000. Volunteers who register by Wednesday, Oct. 21, are guaranteed their preferred t-shirt size.
Once registered, team leaders will pick up job assignments and t-shirts the week before the event. Volunteers are invited to gather for lunch at The Barn at Stratford following the morning of service. Special thanks to the 2026 MDDC sponsors: HelpLine, SourcePoint, Jim Roesch of My Benefit Advisor, Amanda and Brian Denney of Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Impact60, Jessica Forman of Forman Insurance Agency, Inc., RedBuilt, Ohio Living Foundation, Sheetz, and Meijer. Their support helps turn community generosity into hands-on assistance for older adults and local organizations.
About Connections Volunteer Center
Connections Volunteer Center, a community program of HelpLine, bridges the gap between passionate volunteers and community needs by helping nonprofits focus on what matters most – people and older adults lead fulfilling and supported lives. We partner with more than 60 nonprofits who address some of the most pressing social issues, and together, we make a collective difference. Over its 30-year history, Connections has matched more than 19,000 volunteers and invested more than 8 million dollars back into Delaware County. To learn more, visit www.ConnectionsVolunteerCenter.org.