From New York to Greece, Germany, Illinois and Canada, children and young adults will turn kindness into action on October 24 through community service projects, a global panel discussion and outreach to people in need.
Children and young adults across the world will unite on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for Loukoumi’s Make a Difference Day, an international initiative encouraging young people to make a positive impact through kindness, volunteering and community service.
Organized by the Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation, the annual initiative gives participants an opportunity to support causes they care about while learning how even small acts of generosity can make a meaningful difference. Through its programs, the foundation has engaged more than 150,000 children and young people around the world.
New York Program Highlights Global Service
In New York, the “Loukoumi Good Deeds Bus” will depart from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 9:15 a.m. and travel to Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx.
The program will feature a panel discussion titled “Making a Difference in Cities Around the World,” moderated by Nick Katsoris, founder, president and executive director of the Loukoumi Foundation, alongside Ave Tsapatsares.
Scheduled panelists include New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Nancy Economou, CEO of WATTS OF LOVE, and Jordan Stewart, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker.
The discussion will take place at Fordham’s McShane Center, with a virtual viewing option beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Registration is available through the online webinar link.
Helping Bronx Families and Supporting Seniors
Following the panel, participants will visit POTS (Part of the Solution), a Bronx-based organization that supports individuals and families experiencing hardship. The group will donate essential supplies, including diapers, infant formula, wipes and nonperishable food.
The next stop will be St. Michael’s Home for the Aged in Uniondale, Long Island. There, participants will pledge to raise $50,000 to sponsor a “Loukoumi” lounge—a welcoming space where residents and their families can spend time together.
More information about the planned lounge is available through the Loukoumi Foundation’s St. Michael’s initiative.
Good Deeds Buses Connect Communities Worldwide
The New York project is part of a broader international effort, with four additional Loukoumi Good Deeds Buses operating from Athens, Greece; Cologne, Germany; Deerfield, Illinois; and Gander, Newfoundland, Canada.
Each bus will visit designated locations for service activities, bringing young volunteers into contact with local organizations and people who need support. The coordinated effort demonstrates how a shared commitment to helping others can connect communities across borders.
Research Highlights the Happiness of Giving
The Loukoumi Foundation also emphasizes the personal benefits of community service. According to Nick Katsoris, foundation research published by Fordham University surveyed more than 1,000 children and young adults across 20 countries. More than 90% reported feeling happier when doing good for others.
“Our findings reveal that children are eager to make a difference,” Katsoris said. “These results stand as a hopeful reminder that children want to do good, and when channeling their kindness into causes that resonate with them, the impact is life-changing. I invite you all to join us.”
Through Make a Difference Day, the foundation seeks to help young people transform compassion into action while building a lasting commitment to service, empathy and civic responsibility.
For more information or to participate, visit www.loukoumifoundation.org or email info@loukoumifoundation.org.
