A Day to Make a Difference|做些改变的日子

by Leigh Goldberg

Volunteers hit the streets on this special day to show how much they care.

Most of us are preoccupied with our daily routines. _(1)_ All of this is centered on what we want, but not everyone in the world has it so easy. In fact, millions of people don't have the means to put food on the table, clothes on their backs, or roofs over their heads. _(2)_ Thankfully, USA WEEKEND Magazine is trying to make things right.

   In 1992, the national weekly magazine created Make A Difference Day. _(3)_ Students, families, church groups, clubs, corporations, and even celebrities do their part to help make a difference in their communities. _(4)_ What's more, 10 national honorees and three city awardees each receive US$10,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice.

   However, most of the three million volunteers who took part in 2011 activities will tell you that they don't mind the hard work involved. _(5)_ So what are you waiting for? Learn who needs help in your community and start making a difference today.

(A) Celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday in October, it is the biggest day of individuals     doing good and volunteering in the US.

(B) This can be anything from cleaning the streets, feeding the hungry, and repairing homes to raising money for charity.

(C) Mothers make meals for their families, children make messes at home and school, and fathers     make money to support their sons and daughters.

(D) They are actually doing something to make the world a better place and not just wishing for things to improve.

(E) Non-profit organizations do their best to help, but it's not enough.

做些改变的日子

在这个特别的日子志工们走上街头以表示他们有多关心。

我们大多数人都一心忙于我们的日常生活。母亲为家庭做饭、孩子在家里和学校捣乱、父亲赚钱扶养儿女。所有这一切都围绕在我们想要的东西上，但世上并非每个人日子都过得那么顺遂。实际上，有好几百万人没有能力好好吃一顿饭、没衣服穿，或没栖身之处。非营利组织尽全力帮助，但还是不够。值得庆幸的是，《美国周末杂志》正试图改善这样的情况。

1992年，这本全国性的周刊创立了『做些改变日』。这个节日在每年 10 月的第 4 个星期六被庆祝，在美国这是个人做善事和义工服务最盛大的一天。学生、家庭、教会团体、俱乐部、企业甚至名人都尽一己之力帮助他们的小区做些改变。这可以是任何事，从清扫街道、为饥饿的人提供食物、修缮房屋到为慈善机构筹款。更重要的是，10名全国获奖者和 3 名城市获奖者每人将获得 1 万美元，可捐赠给自己心目中的慈善机构。

然而，在 2011 年参与活动的 300 多万名志工中的大多数人将会告诉你，他们不介意参与劳苦的工作。他们实际上在做着让世界变得更美好的事，而不是只期盼着状况有所改善。所以你还在等什么呢？了解你的小区中谁需要帮助，并从今天开始做些改变吧。

答案：  1.  C   2.  E   3.  A   4.  B   5.  D

志愿工作者又名志工，是指一种助人、具组织性及基于社会公益责任的参与行为。志工制度的确立可追溯至二次大战后福利主义抬头导致各国政府支出崩塌，发展义务工作以解决社会上不胜负荷的需求。志工自古以来就已经存在，古时候的赠医施药可被视为志工的雏型。西方志工起源的重要概念起源于罗马时代的博爱精神和基督教的宗教责任及救赎观念，透过义务工作表现出人性的爱及弘扬宗教的善性。而近年志工制度的确立，是为了弥补政府对社会支持的不足，结合政府、商界及民间的力量为社会上有需要的人服务。

（数据源：维基百科）