This local volunteer helps out at Austin Pets Alive
Moving Difference is back for a second year, and its official kick-off corresponds with the first day of summer: this Friday, June 21st.
For those who missed last year’s coverage, Moving Difference is a loose – but vigorous – movement that encourages individuals to invest one hour of each week during summer into making their community better. Founded here in Austin by Jeny Crouch, Moving Difference went worldwide in its first year. Approximately 62,000 volunteer hours were logged in 2012. The original goal was 1,000.
There aren’t any set rules about how you use your volunteer hour each week from June 21st to September 21st. You can pick up trash, teach a CPR class, bake for a sick neighbor, help a busy friend with childcare, or walk a homeless dog through Austin Pets Alive. It’s as easy as following your passion and doing what you can to make a difference.
Make Moving Difference Friends in Austin
Jeny wasn’t kidding about her hat collection!
Even if you’re participating in Moving Difference on your own, you still have an opportunity to connect with others. September 7, 2013 is Silly Hat, Big Clean. Inspired by Jeny’s “arousing collection of really quirky hats,” the concept is simple. Groups around the world (including a group of soldiers stationed in Afghanistan) will gather to clean up their local parks, wearing silly hats to make it fun.
In Austin, there will be Moving Difference folks cleaning up Austin’s center and parks around the city. Plans will firm up as September gets closer, so keep your eyes on the event page as locations are added. Maybe you want to organize a Silly Hat, Big Clean event in your own part of Austin?
Credit: LP&P via Flickr CC
Moving Difference Across Texas
Jeny is living on the road this summer, touring across Texas to speak about the movement and volunteer with others. She’ll be in Houston, Beaumont, Laredo and beyond, helping with blood drives, speaking to summer school students, and even taking Moving Difference into adult homes.
Between the 62,000 worldwide volunteer hours in 2012, and countless hours of communication with volunteers and press, Jeny burned through two Blackberrys. This year, she’s prepared with a back-up phone. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to hit 2,000 hours in the first week,” she excitedly told me.
“We’re Here to Stay”
The idea for Moving Difference was originally scribbled on a napkin at the Taco Deli by the Green Belt. Today, that napkin sits in a frame at the same location, surrounded by newspaper clippings and a letter from Jeny that chronicle the incredible growth of one idea.
The Taco Deli napkin that started it all
Jeny says that the biggest difference between Moving Difference 2012 and 2013 is that the movement is established now. “There was a lot of ‘ra-ra’ in year one,” she says. “The second year sets the tone.”
I was surprised to hear that plans for Moving Difference extend as far as 20 years into the future! But no matter what happens or how many years go by, Jeny insists on sticking to the movement’s core values. “If we stop being of service as a community grassroots organization, I’ll be the first to pull the plug. I don’t want anyone to think their hour isn’t valuable.”
Learn More and Get Involved
Stay updated through the Moving Difference website. You’re encouraged to share your volunteer experiences and record your hours through email, Facebook or Twitter. You can give shout-outs on Twitter with the #MDY2 hashtag.
Bottom line: there’s no reason to agonize over getting involved. Jeny says that you should “shut everything off, go out, look around, and see who needs help. You’ll know who you can help. You know what you love. Find the need, and fill the need.”
@QuasiBrit asks:
How would you like to help others this summer?
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AWESOME!!! THIS IS GREAT!!! I can’t wait for Moving Difference to start!!! Friday kicks it off!! So if you have any questions or need help starting, contact me!! Brit & Eric you guys are the best!! Can’t wait for the sunset at the end of the summer!! Here is to another fine fun summer in ATX!!!
You’re awesome, @e263e73aa09f850e72d9e1a94d1ea932:disqus. Glad to be a part of Moving Difference in our own way!
I’ve adored Jeny’s creative vision ever since she turned in an “Office Space” themed pumpkin at our former corporate office’s Halloween decorations contest. Her masterpiece, Moving Difference, encourages all to give back to the community by volunteering only one hour a week. Won’t you join me in loving Austin as much as I do, and showing that affection by volunteering in our beautiful city?
What a precious tribute, @Kay_MarDil:disqus! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Found it! I had forgot until your mention – oh thank goodness for old hard drives!! “Sawffice Space” lives!!
Hope your Moving Difference project is going well – Cheers!!
Our entire summer school is doing this project again this year! 200+ students have promised to give an hour a week. It is amazing how little hands help in BIG ways!! We are awaiting June 21st to start logging the hours! Many of our students plan to do additional hours with their families on the weekends all summer long – Thanks Austinot for inviting others to join in!! And thanks to Jeny for accepting our invitation to come to our school this summer and work with the kids!!!
I am going to pick up trash on Lake Austin trails for an hour on Mondays with my mom. That way we don’t have to sit in traffic and listen to Mom’s boring “easy listening” music after school and get hot & road rage. Save planet earth! Get out of your car and go do something fun for others. See you on the trail!