Sit Down for Some Chicken Soup and Stories of Spirit -- Authors of Chicken Soup for the Volunteers Soul Team up with Make A Difference Day Founders for National Discussion on Volunteerism

The combination of chicken soup, volunteers and a magazine may be more common to a community food pantry. But this fall the combination aims to spark a national dialog about the importance of volunteering and helping one another. The authors of the newly released Chicken Soup for the Volunteers Soul have teamed up with Make A Difference Day co-sponsors USA WEEKEND Magazine and the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. The trip hopes to draw attention to the amazing and selfless contributions volunteers make every day.

Washington, DC -- The combination of chicken soup, volunteers and a magazine may be more common to a community food pantry. But this fall the combination aims to spark a national dialog about the importance of volunteering and helping one another. The authors of the newly released Chicken Soup for the Volunteers Soul have teamed up with Make A Difference Day co-sponsors USA WEEKEND Magazine and the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. The trip hopes to draw attention to the amazing and selfless contributions volunteers make every day.

This national dialog about volunteerism and the important mission of the book is timed to coincide with Make A Difference Day, the nations largest day of community service taking place on Saturday, Oct. 26. An estimated three million Americans are expected to volunteer on this day. The efforts of three Make A Difference Day project organizers are highlighted in the book.

Bank of America, Target and General Electric have purchased large quantities of the book for employees as part of a growing interest in corporate stewardship. USA WEEKEND and the Points of Light Foundation are seeing a similar trend with corporations like Campbells Soup, CitiGroup and Hechts/Strawbridges, which are organizing corporate Make A Difference Day projects for their employees and clients.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY -- the following speakers are available for interviews and panel discussions:

John Boal, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Volunteers Soul

Bob Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation, co-sponsor of Make A Difference Day

Marcia Bullard, President, CEO and Editor of USA WEEKEND Magazine, co-sponsor of Make A Difference Day

USA WEEKEND Magazine is distributed by more than 590 newspapers nationwide. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, personal finance and technology. The magazine provides Newspaper in Education classroom guides to partner newspapers. USA WEEKEND Magazine is a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc. the international news and information company.

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life - corporations, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth and older adults - to volunteer. By calling 1-800-VOLUNTEER, or visiting www.1800volunteer.org, interested persons can get connected to volunteer opportunities within their communities.