Fall is officially here and that means it is time for the 16th Annual Make a Difference Day in McKinney. To commemorate this year, Volunteer McKinney is hosting 17 community projects and will need more than 700 volunteers. Project details are at volunteermckinney.galaxydigital.com. Make a Difference Day is Oct. 24 and some of the projects have already filled up. To sign up, volunteers can log on and register for the project that appeals most. “We have six projects already full and others are filling up in record time,” said Dana Riley, executive director at Volunteer McKinney. “Participating in a large-scale volunteer event truly connects you with other people who share your passion for giving. The projects are easy and fun and are a great way to get to know some amazing agencies who are behind all the good that happens in this city.” Event sponsors this year are the city of McKinney, Baylor of McKinney, McKinney Community Development Corp., First United Bank, Independent Bank and The Body Shop. In-kind sponsors are Market Street, TomK Photography, The Print Lab and Professional Concepts, Inc. Local restaurants are hosting after-parties where volunteers who participated in a project will receive discounts and celebrate with other volunteers. The host restaurants are Brothers Pizza, Raising Canes, Italian Garden, Nom Nom’s Mexican Grill and Chill and The One and Only Burgers and Fries.

Make a Difference Day Projects 2015

Allen Community Outreach Project – Processing & Distribution

Volunteers needed to help sort clothing and shoes in the warehouse in McKinney.

Chestnut Historic Square Village – Beautifying Front Lawns

The lawns in front of the 1920 Bungalow around the 1870 buildings are in need of some attention and preparation for the winter months ahead.

City of McKinney Environmental Education – Trinity Trash Bash

McKinney residents are invited to participate in the Trinity Trash Bash. This regional event encourages residents and businesses to join forces and clean up roadsides, waterways, neighborhoods and parks to protect the Trinity River watershed.

City of McKinney Storm-Water Management – Keep Our Water Clean Project

Volunteer teams will install aluminum storm markers at designated storm inlets and distribute door hangers with information about the inlet marking with steps to keep inlets clean.

Citychurch Youth Outreach Ministry – Engage and Elevate 2015

This is a community carnival that is free to the public and includes food, games, and other activities. Volunteers will be serving food, operating the games, engaging the families from the community, and various other tasks as needed. This is a family friendly event.

Collin County Medical Reserve Corps – Community Free Flu Vaccine Clinic

Join professional MRC volunteers during a free flu clinic to the public. Volunteers will help setting up, organizing, translating Spanish/English, checking people in and cleaning up afterwards.

Community Food Pantry

Volunteers will be sorting and shelving canned goods that have been collected by McKinney Elementary school children and donated to the Community Food Pantry.

Community Lifeline Center – Clean Up and Craft Up

Volunteers are needed to help paint interior doors, as well as clean, organize and craft gifts for volunteers.

Embrace Texas – Embrace Office Make Over

Volunteers will aid in small "home repair" projects such as painting, molding repair, office organizing and clean-up.

ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship – Painting Team

Volunteers will paint 10 loafing sheds.

McKinney Community Garden Association – Building Raised Garden Beds

The association is transitioning from mound gardening to raised beds at the community garden and needs help building 20-30 raised beds to be used by the public and the children of Holy Family School.

Meals on Wheels of Collin County – Welcome Box Project

Volunteers are needed to assemble Welcome Boxes for new clients and to write a note of support that will be given to them.

North Collin County Habitat for Humanity – neighborhood revitalization

Volunteers will be cleaning up the yard, tree trimming, bush trimming and pulling weeds. Some volunteers will be staining the wheel chair ramp while other volunteers will be digging holes and setting fence posts.

SPCA of Texas – barn and pasture clean up

Volunteers will help scoop pastures and paddock, clean and organize the barn, clean crates and kennels in wash bay and organize storage containers.

Teens for the Cure of Susan G. Komen North Texas – Breast Cancer Survivor Blanket Project

Volunteers will make "no sew" fleece blankets for breast cancer survivors. Please bring fabric, scissors, and ruler. This is a fun, family friendly project.

The Samaritan Inn – Whistle While You Work Project

Volunteers will provide general assistance around the shelter that may include sorting food, cleaning, washing windows and light landscaping.

The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center – Clothing Care Packages

Volunteers will assemble clothing care packages for victims of sexual assault. In addition, some will assemble information packets that will be distributed to local hospitals and first responders.