These days, it's easy to feel helpless in the face of great impersonal forces: the collapse of Wall Street; destructive hurricanes; prices rising and the failing economy.

But not everything lies beyond our ability to make a difference. The National Day of Action on Sept. 27 offers an open invitation to those who want to change a small corner of their world.

It's a grassroots campaign to get more than a thousand volunteers in Hawai'i — and millions around the country — to contribute to any of dozens of local events on or around Sept. 27.

The effort is spearheaded by ServiceAmerica, a coalition of service groups that hopes to convince 100 million Americans to volunteer by 2020. About 61 million volunteers work today.

Here at home, local organizers want to draw 1,500 volunteers. Many are needed, and the time to register is short. It's hoped the experience will be a rewarding one for first-time volunteers and encourage more participation in the future.

A recent ranking by the Corporation for National and Community Service ranked Hawai'i's volunteer rate as 44th out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., between 2005 and 2007.

Local volunteerism experts believe the statistics are misleading — that many volunteers do activities that may go unmeasured, such as coaching or helping neighbors in distress. Nonetheless, organizers hope to set a national record for per capita turnout.

Kanu Hawaii, ServiceNation Hawai'i, Volunteer Hawai'i and other groups also hope a high turnout will encourage national service legislation in Congress that will support AmeriCorps and other worthy volunteer programs.

In Hawai'i, volunteer events cover a broad range of efforts on most islands — everything from barn raising on the Big Island to monitoring honu on O'ahu's North Shore.

In tough economic times, when the reach of government is limited, service organizations staffed by volunteers often fill some of the gaps.

Working together has the dual benefit of contributing to the improvement of our community, while providing a much-needed psychological boost that comes from knowing we can indeed make a positive difference here at home.