Extra Mile Day Grows to 404 Cities

Online, October 16, 2013 (Newswire.com) - At a time when many are demanding changes in service and opportunity, Extra Mile Day celebrates individuals and organizations that have chosen to create positive change in their communities by going the extra mile. Created in 2009 with twenty-three cities making the inaugural declaration, Extra Mile Day has continued to build momentum each year since. This year, mayors from Anchorage to Dover, Delaware, from Boston to Portland, Oregon, will make the declaration.

Mayors from across the United States are recognizing a growing movement that is dedicated to encouraging individuals and organizations to "go the extra mile" in service and volunteerism. On November 1, 2013, over 400 mayors from across the United States will declare "Extra Mile Day."

Mayor Len Pagano of St. Peters, Missouri,is one of those mayors. "Our volunteers make it possible to host local, regional, statewide and even national events. They help our city staff provide more services and save taxpayer money on a daily basis. What's best of all is that our volunteers do this selflessly with a team-first attitude because they care about our community."

Mayor David Kaptain of Elgin, Illinois, is another supporting Extra Mile Day mayor. "To me, 'going the extra mile' includes the volunteers who give their time at local not-for-profits, as well as the volunteers who serve the community through their leadership in neighborhood organizations.But there are also many unrecognized heroes who go the 'extra mile' on a daily basis- those who do odd jobs for their elderly neighbors or pick up trash while taking their daily walk."

"We all talk about wanting change…happiness…more opportunity," says Extra Mile Day Founder, Shawn Anderson. "However, relying on others to make that happen is only wishing for life to get better. Taking personal responsibility and going the extra mile personally is where true change is created."

"Sure, it's easy to complain about everything we see going on around us," Anderson says. "The 'go the extra mile' message, though, gives people an alternative to just throwing their arms in the air and saying 'I give up.' Extra Mile Day is a small reminder of the power we each have to create positive change at any time on any day."

For more information about Extra Mile Day and its history, visit http://www.ExtraMileAmerica.org. To speak to Shawn Anderson directly, call 310-402-4826 or email [email protected].