Craig Miller, of Buchanan, is volunteering at Saturday’s Make a Difference Day in Buchanan. He also runs PLAY in Buchanan, a group of Buchanan community members who organize events and activities for children. Learn more on PLAY on Buchanan’s Facebook page. Make a Difference Day is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in Buchanan.

 

Q: What are you doing for Make A Difference Day?

With Make a Difference Day there is a local church (1st United Methodist Buchanan) that puts it on, although it is a nationwide event. I got involved in it because I am president of the PLAY in Buchanan group and we help promote fun stuff for kids to do.

I’ve been getting people to help out, organize things, pick up projects and help us get the projects done, basically.

Q: What are some of the things volunteers will be doing this year?

With the fall coming early we are going to have some kids raking leaves at some of the local parks. We are going to put stain on some of the picnic tables, so they will look nice and neat. We are going to paint some of the older swing sets and playground equipment at some of the parks to brighten those up and make them look newer and cleaner. We are also going to paint the pavilion at McCoy Creek Park because it hasn’t had paint on it in a long time.

Q: How do people join in?

They can show up at the church on Oak Street across from the Commons or they can go to Make a Difference Day Buchanan on Facebook and register there.

Q: What do you do for PLAY in Buchanan?

It is a small group that started out to get more activities for kids to do around town. All the stuff we do is free for kids to do for all ages from kindergarten to 12th grade. We are getting an opportunity to do something that the city or the school isn’t going to put on.

Q: How can people find out more about PLAY in Buchanan?

We have our own Facebook page and most of the information is on that. Our motto is also on there. We meet once a month to plan and figure out what our next activity is going to be. That information is on Facebook.

Q: Why do you volunteer?

I have twin 7-year-old daughters and I also grew up in this town. I’d like to make sure everything is maintained and nice and clean for people who come and visit. If one person does it, another person will see you and they usually start helping too. It is just like a chain reaction.

Q: How would you convince someone else to volunteer?

It is all about taking pride about where you live and the community that you are in. You should always strive to have a better, cleaner place and a little bit goes a long way.