Among the largest one-day volunteer events in the world, Eli Lilly Day of Global Service, held each October, is impressive with 8,000 (of their 20,000 participants internationally) working right here in Indianapolis on various cleanup, beautification, and revitalization projects throughout the city. Last year, under the leadership of the Indianapolis Rotary Club, it became more: Indy Do Day. Expecting 60 businesses and organizations to engage, they ended up with more than 150 bringing 15,000 volunteers together. Projections for 2014 are tripled.

The people of a city, given a beneficent example and investment, are claiming ownership and moving it several levels beyond. It has now spread throughout neighborhoods and spilled beyond the single day event that inspired it. Many get their first volunteer experience because  of the increased opportunities. This new dimension of self in community agrees with them. They like doing something real, constructive, and communal. Leadership, communication, and teamwork fully blossom. This is a customizable 21st century brainstorm/braunstorm. Choose a project needing volunteers or create your own. Engage as an individual, as a group, or CVP (corporate volunteer program).

Indy Do Day is October 2-4, 2014. Catch the buzz at
www.IndyDoDay.org. The maturation of community—beautiful to behold—better to belong!

“Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.”

—Dorothy Height