Volunteers organizing service activities in Mesa on Saturday, Oct. 25 as part of the National Make a Difference Day of Service are encouraged to apply to the event’s grant program. Each grant involves a store gift card for up to $100 to purchase materials and supplies for a specific project or up to two free landfill passes to dispose of debris to help support independent service projects in the community.
There are several eligibility rules and criteria that will be used to determine who receives a grant:
* The applicant must be planning a service project with at least five participating volunteers to be completed in Mesa on Oct. 25, 2014
* There must be a need for materials and supplies to complete the service project. For example, tools, such as paint brushes, that are needed to paint a house. If you are needing to plaster a wall or ceiling get stucco maintenance done.
* Applicants must clearly define the geographic area within Mesa where the project will take place.
* Applicants will be volunteer groups with little to no funding, or limited access to other funding sources.
Based on the criteria, grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Only one grant with a maximum of $100 or two landfill passes will be awarded per project. A maximum of $200 in gift cards will be awarded for each city council district.
Mesa’s Make a Difference Day is part of National Make a Difference Day and is designed to encourage meaningful service projects that have a positive impact on the City. At least 1,500 volunteers are scheduled to participate in approximately 50 Love Your Block projects throughout Mesa. Examples of service projects include painting walls and curb numbers; cleaning up parks, alleys and canals; distributing neighborhood resource bags and helping residents who need assistance with painting and landscaping. Love Your Block is a high-impact service strategy and partnership with HandsOn Greater Phoenix in which community members are engaged in revitalizing their neighborhoods one block at a time.
The deadline to submit grant applications is Thursday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. The application and instructions can be found at www.mesaaz.gov/volunteer/madd.aspx or contact City of Mesa Neighborhood Outreach Program Assistant Andrea Alicoate at andrea.alicoate@mesaaz.gov or (480) 644-5034.
