For generations, the Church of the Crossroads has been making a difference in the lives of O'ahu residents through its inclusive services and programs offered there, including Save the Food Basket, which provides meals to needy patients living with AIDS/HIV, and The Early School, a preschool.

Now residents can give back to these organizations on national Make A Difference Day, when volunteers will be helping with general cleanup, repairs, painting, landscaping, light construction projects and sandbox replenishment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church at 1212 University Ave. Parking is available in the church's lot.

More volunteers are needed to complete projects at these three organizations where work will be done in two shifts: 8 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 to 4 p.m. Lunch will be served to both shifts at 11:45 a.m.

Church of the Crossroads is in its eighth decade and has been active in such issues as justice and peace and declared itself a sanctuary during the Vietnam War. More recently, it has become involved in environmental issues and initiated a transitional home for women and children of domestic violence.

Save the Food Basket, a nonprofit group, delivers food to outlying communities and AIDS patients who are bedridden. It also conducts a weekly distribution of food from the church.

The Early School, established in 1973, is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt preschool for children 18 months to 6 years.

Dick Pacific Construction and The Honolulu Advertiser are sponsoring the Make A Difference Day projects for the three organizations.

To volunteer, call Darilyn Fernandez at 525-6799 or e-mail dfernand@honolulu.gannett.com.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.