Joint Base volunteers make Day of Caring a reality Published Oct. 27, 2009 By Steve Snyder Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.-- -- Eighty-nine Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst volunteers worked up a sweat Oct. 24 while joining millions of other Americans to celebrate National Make a Difference Day. The Fort Dix community celebrated a Day of Caring for over 15 years, where military members would go out into the community and perform service projects. Oct. 24 was the first time that JB MDL joined together in the same celebration. National Make a Difference Day, celebrated every year on the fourth Saturday in October, is similar to Dix's Day of Caring, said Frances Booth, Warfighter and Family Readiness Center volunteer coordinator. This year, the WFRC held the Day of Caring on the same day as National Make a Difference Day, for the first time. The occasion provides a unique opportunity for military personnel to mingle with family members, civilians and retirees to give something back to the community they call home. JB MDL workers helped move furniture and arrange lighting displays at the Habitat for Humanity Store in Cinnaminson, N.J. and put together comfort kits for mobilizing and demobilizing military personnel at the Red Cross. Volunteers created quilts for kids and hearts for heroes at the Arts and Crafts Center at Dix and organized items destined for The Attic at McGuire. Base volunteers were joined by Army Support Activity Commander, Col. Patrick Slowey and his family. Girl Scout, Brownie and Boy Scout troops and members of the Dix Challenge Program were also in attendance. Anyone wishing to join volunteer projects can call Fran Booth at (609) 562-3930 or e-mail her at frances.booth@mcguire.af.mil.