.svg)
July 1 marks the start of National Make a Difference to Children Month! This month-long celebration was created to recognize and pay tribute to those who are making a positive impact in the lives of children. Whether it's through providing educational opportunities, health care services, basic needs, or simply a listening ear - these people are true heroes. And with the help of volunteers and donations, we can all make a difference for the kids in our community. So let's get started this July by showing our support for children and making sure they have access to everything they need!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1994</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>John Trent's Inspiration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Child advocate, John Trent, was inspired to create a movement focusing on making a difference to the lives of children in America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Founding of National MCC Association</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Make a Difference to Children (MCC) Association was founded to organize and coordinate efforts on a national scale.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National MCC Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Separate from the month-long celebration, the first National Make A Difference to Children Day was recognized on July 21.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expanding into July</div><div class='timeline-text'>The entire month of July was established as National Make A Difference to Children Month, encouraging individuals and organizations to show continued support for children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Reach</div><div class='timeline-text'>The celebrations of National MCC Day and Month reached all 50 states, demonstrating the wide impact and importance of child welfare.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Continued Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Make A Difference to Children Month continues to be celebrated annually, striving to improve the lives of children nationwide.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer your time</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local organization that works with children and volunteer your time to help them out. You can tutor, mentor, or just provide companionship and support for kids in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to a charity</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a charity that works with children and donate what you can. Donations don't have to be monetary; they can be in the form of books, toys, clothes, or other items that can help kids in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a fundraiser</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Host a bake sale or other fundraiser in your neighborhood and donate the proceeds to a charity that works with children. It's a great way to get people together and make a difference.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read to children</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local library or school and volunteer to read books to children. Reading is an important part of childhood development and you can make a big difference by giving your time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize an event such as a picnic, movie night, or game night in your neighborhood or at a local park and invite local kids to join. It's a great way to give kids some fun activities while also building community.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about the issues children face</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Make A Difference to Children Month is important because it helps to raise awareness about the various issues children around the world are facing such as child labor, poverty, human trafficking and abuse. By increasing public knowledge of these key problems, we can make progress in addressing them and ultimately transforming their lives for the better.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages people to get involved</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Make A Difference to Children Month encourages people to become more involved in helping children in need. Whether donating money, volunteer time or simply spreading the word to help raise awareness, every small action has the potential to make a big difference in improving children's lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates positive changes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>April is a great opportunity to celebrate the countless positive changes that have been made over the years for many vulnerable children both domestically and abroad. We can look back at our accomplishments and be encouraged by stories of personal triumph amidst difficult circumstances, while also looking ahead with hope towards a brighter future for everyone!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>United States has the highest child poverty rate compared to other developed countries</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States has the highest child poverty rate among the developed countries, signifying the urgency and importance of commitment to making a difference to children's lives.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>About 14% of American children have special healthcare needs</h3><p class='facts-content'>The National Survey of Children's Health reported that nearly a seventh of kids in the U.S. have at least one developmental disability or require a specialized healthcare service, highlighting the need for more targeted interventions.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Half of all U.S children will be on food stamps at some point</h3><p class='facts-content'>The National Academy of Sciences reports that approximately half of all American kids will rely on food stamps at some point before they turn 20, underlining the dire need to address child poverty and food insecurity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>In 2019, over 66,500 youth were incarcerated in the U.S</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the Prison Policy Initiative, more than 66,500 children were incarcerated in the United States in 2019, a startling statistic showing the need for system reform and preventive strategies.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Trauma impacts a child's development and long-term health</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that experiencing trauma as a child can lead to chronic health conditions in adulthood, necessitating the promotion of safe, stable, nurturing environments for all children.</p></div></div>
National Make A Difference to Children Month is celebrated on July 1 every year. In 2024, the date falls on a Monday.
2023
Jul 1
Saturday
2024
Jul 1
Monday
2025
Jul 1
Tuesday
2026
Jul 1
Wednesday
2027
Jul 1
Thursday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
