National Days of Service

January

National Mentoring Month
Thank Your Mentor Day
http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/take_action/thankyourmentorday/

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
http://www.mlkday.org/
With "Make it a day ON... Not a day off!" as its slogan, this commemoration is designed to keep Dr. King's legacy of service to others alive in communities across the country.  The day of service is scheduled on his nationally-recognized birthday holiday.

February

Corporate Philanthropy Day
http://www.corporatephilanthropy.org/events/international-corporate-philanthropy-day.html
Building awareness of corporate-community partnerships and inspiring businesses to engage further in philanthropy. 

Random Acts of Kindness Week
http://www.actsofkindness.org
RAK Week® is dedicated to celebrating the little things we do for others.

March

AmeriCorps Week
http://www.americorpsweek.gov/
AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible

Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning - March 31
http://www.servicelearning.org/topic/area-service/cesar-chavez-day-service-and-learning
An official holiday in six states and dozens of cities and counties throughout the nation, this day honors the life, work, and values of activist Cesar E. Chavez. Learn more about Chavez at http://chavezfoundation.org/.

April

National Volunteer Week (usually the 3rd week in April)
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/signatureevents/nvw
National Volunteer Week, always held in the third week of April unless the spring religious holidays coincide, has been celebrated annually since the 1970's, though its visibility has been reduced by the new "Seasons of Service" calendar of events throughout the year. Now sponsored by the Points of Light Institute and run by its HandsOn Network. Energize has verified that these are the correct upcoming dates:
2016: April 10-17

Global Youth Service Day
http://www.gysd.org
Occurs each year (usually immediately preceding National Volunteer Week) and celebrates the positive contributions that millions of young people are making in their communities. Major sponsors are Youth Service America and Parade magazine.

Earth Day - April 22
http://www.earthday.org
Earth Day is honored around the world on April 22, although larger events such as festivals and rallies are often organized for the weekends before or after April 22. Many communities also observe Earth Week or Earth Month, organizing a series of environmental activities throughout the month of April.

May

Join Hands Day - first Saturday in May
http://www.joinhandsday.org
A nationwide volunteer day (sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies) to bring young people together with adults to create new and better relationships by working as a team within their own neighborhoods. Next dates:

Senior Corps Week
http://www.getinvolved.gov/grantees/sc_week/index.asp

July

Mandela Day - July 18
http://www.mandeladay.com/
An annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life (started in 2009) and a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to" make an imprint" and change the world around them -- by giving 67 minutes of volunteer service.

September

National Day of Service and Remembrance - September 11
http://www.911dayofservice.org/
September 11th has now been officially designated as the National Day of Service and Remembrance under the 2009 Serve America Act.  

October

Be the Change Day - October 1
http://www.saalt.org/pages/Be-the-Change.html
An annual service day sponsored by South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT).  (Formerly called "National Ghandi Day of Service")

Make A Difference Day - 4th Saturday of October
Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of community service in the country. Plan projects to engage to make a difference locally.

National Pro Bono Week
https://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono
Celebrate projects where professionals are using their skills to help make a difference in their communities.

November

International Volunteer Managers Day - November 5
http://volunteermanagersday.org/
International Volunteer Managers Day takes place each year on November 5. We recognize the contributions of volunteers every day as they volunteer in ever aspect of service to our communities. It is important to let the volunteer management professionals know that the spirit of volunteerism is enhanced and supported by the work they do, thus a day to say thank you.

Veterans Day - November 11
http://va.gov/opa/vetsday/
Veterans Day is an official U.S. Federal holiday that recognizes people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

National Philanthropy Day - November 15
http://www.afpnet.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=4032
Sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, this day is celebrated around the US by AFP chapters in various ways, often with conferences or awards.  Financial giving is the primary focus, but volunteering is almost always included.

Family Volunteer Day - 3rd Saturday of November
http://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/family-volunteer-day
Family Volunteer Day is a day of service that demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world. Future Dates:

December

International Volunteer Day - December 5
http://www.volunteeractioncounts.org/en/
On International Volunteer Day (IVD), we not only celebrate volunteerism in all its facets – but also pay special tribute to people’s participation in making a difference locally, nationally and globally.