Here is our now traditional list of special occasions to recognize and celebrate within your organization. As in the past, this list contains special staff recognition days and some other nationally recognized days that you might find useful and fun. We realize recognition days, on the surface, may not seem as important to some as, for example, rules, regulations and reimbursement issues. However, used creatively, recognition of certain days can help promote teamwork, employee value, cooperation, and the opportunity to have some fun. As such, the consumers of our services will benefit from these seemingly small efforts. (This list was compiled using Chase’s 1998 Calendar of Events as a resource.)
January
 |
Autism Awareness Month |
|
Diet Month |
|
National Be On-Purpose Month |
|
National Eye Care Month |
|
Reminiscence Month |
| 1 | New Year's Day |
| 1 | Universal Hour of Peace |
| 1-7 | Celebration of Life Week |
| 4 | Trivia Day |
| 4-10 | "Someday We'll Laugh About This" Week |
| 5-9 | New Year's Resolutions Week |
| 8-14 | Universal Letter-Writing Week |
| 11-18 | International Thank You Days |
| 12 | National Clean Off Your Desk Day |
| 16 | National Nothing Day |
| 18 | Heal Old Hurts Day |
| 18-24 | Be Good to Yourself Week |
| 18-24 | Healthy Weight Week |
| 18-24 | *Activity Professionals Week |
| 19 | Cut Yourself Some Slack Day |
| 19 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday |
| 20 | Lighten Up!! Day |
| 20 | Rid the World of Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day |
| 21 | Go for It, or Live Your Dreams Day |
| 21 | National Hugging Day |
| 22 | Women's Healthy Weight Day |
| 22 | Love Yourself, or Be Your Own Best Friend Day |
| 23 | Give a Damn Day |
| 23 | National Pie Day |
| 25 | National Popcorn Day |
| 25-31 | Listen Compassionately to a Survivor Week |
| 25-31 | Solo-Preneuring Week |
| 29 | National Puzzle Day |
February
|
AMD Awareness Month (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) |
|
American Heart Month |
|
American History Month |
|
Black History Month |
|
Celebration of Chocolate |
|
Creative Romance Month |
|
International Boost Your Self-Esteem Month |
|
International Embroidery Month |
|
Low Vision Awareness Month |
|
National Cherry Month |
|
National Wild Bird Feeding Month |
|
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month |
|
Worldwide Innovation Month |
|
International Boost Your Self-Esteem Month |
| 1 | National Freedom Day |
| 1 | Women's Heart Health Day |
| 1-7 | Global Family Feast Week |
| 2 | Groundhog Day |
| 3 | Laugh and Grow Rich Day |
| 4 | Halfway Point of Winter |
| 6 | Pay-A-Compliment Day |
| 8 | World Marriage Day |
| 8-14 | Celebration of Love Week |
| 8-14 | Love May Make the World Go 'Round, But Laughter Keeps Us from Getting Dizzy Week |
| 9-13 | * Dietary Managers' Pride in Food Service Week (Honors Dietary Staff in Long Term Care Facilities) |
| 9-15 | Random Acts of Kindness Week |
| 14 | Read to Your Child Day |
| 14 | Valentine's Day |
| 14-21 | Homes for Birds Week |
| 15-21 | Give Yourself Credit Week |
| 15-21 | International Friendship Week |
| 16 | President's Day |
| 20 | * Student Volunteer Day |
| 22-28 | * National Engineers Week |
| 24 | International Pancake Day |
| 24 | Once Upon a Time Day |
| 25 | Ash Wednesday |
| 28 | Floral Design Day |
March
|
Cataract Awareness Month |
|
Ethics Awareness Month |
|
National Craft Month |
|
National Nutrition Month |
|
National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week |
| 2-8 | National Procrastination Week |
| 3 | I Want You To Be Happy Day |
| 3 | *Social Services Directors Month |
| 4 | Stop Bad Service Day |
| 9 | Panic Day |
| 15 | True Confessions Day |
| 16-22 | Long Term Care Administrators Week |
| 17 | St. Patrick's Day |
| 20 | Spring Begins |
| 21 | Flower Day |
| 22 | As Young As You Feel Day |
| 22 | International Goof-Off Day |
| 23-29 | National Clutter Awareness Week |
| 26 | Make Up Your Own Holiday |
| 29-4/5 | Straw Hat Week |
| 30 | * Doctors' Day |
April
|
National Humor Month |
|
National Lawn and Garden Month |
|
* National Occupational Therapy Month |
|
National Poetry Month |
|
National Woodworking Month |
|
Stress Awareness Month |
|
Zoo and Aquarium Month |
| 1 | All Fools' Day |
| 1 | National Fun at Work Day |
| 1-7 | Golden Rule Week |
| 5-11 | International Building Safety Week |
| 10 | National Siblings Day |
| 10 | Passover Begins at Sundown |
| 11 | Barbershop Quartet Day |
| 11 | Remembrance Day |
| 11-18 | Passover |
| 12 | Easter Sunday |
| 12-18 | National Garden Week |
| 15 | Income Tax Pay Day |
| 16 | National Stress Awareness Day |
| 18 | Earth Day |
| 19-25 | National Coin Week |
| 19-25 | National County Government Week |
| 19-25 | * National Volunteer Week |
| 19-25 | * Professional Secretaries Week |
| 19-25 | Reading Is Fun Week |
| 19-25 | Sky Awareness Week |
| 20-26 | National Organize Your Files Week |
| 22 | Earth Day |
| 23 | Yom Hashoah |
| 23 | Take Our Daughters to Work Day |
| 24 | National Arbor Day |
| 26-5/2 | Astronomy Week |
| 28 | Great Poetry Reading Day |
| 29 | Moment of Laughter Day |
| 30 | International Walk Days |
May
|
Creative Beginnings Month |
|
Family Support Month |
|
National Arthritis Month |
|
National Barbecue Month |
|
National Bike Month |
|
National Hamburger Month |
|
National High Blood Pressure Education Month |
|
National Mental Health Month |
|
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month |
|
National Self-Discovery Month |
|
National Senior Travel Month |
|
National Stroke Awareness Month |
|
National Trauma Awareness Month |
|
* Older American's Month |
|
Personal History Awareness Month |
|
Revise Your Work Schedule Month |
| 1 | May Day |
| 3-9 | Acknowledge Your Supportive Spouse Week |
| 3-9 | Be Kind to Animals Week |
| 3-9 | Flexible Work Arrangements Week |
| 3-9 | National Family Week |
| 3-9 | National Pet Week |
| 3-9 | National Postcard Week |
| 3-9 | National Wildflower Week |
| 4 | Relationship Renewal Day |
| 4-10 | Public Service Recognition Week |
| 6 | Halfway Point of Spring |
| 6-12 | * National Nurses Day and Week |
| 7 | National Day of Prayer |
| 8 | No Socks Day |
| 10 | Trust Your Intuition Day |
| 10 | Mother's Day |
| 10-16 | * National Nursing Home Week |
| 10-16 | National Police Week |
| 10-6/21 | National Family Month |
| 11 | Eat What You Want Day |
| 12 | Limerick Day |
| 13 | *National Receptionist Day |
| 13 | * National Third Shift Workers Day |
| 17-23 | * National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week |
| 17-23 | Running and Fitness Week |
| 18 | International Museum Day |
| 18-24 | * International Salute to Public Relations Week |
| 18 | Visit Your Relatives Day |
| 19 | National Bike to Work Day |
| 20 | National Employee Health and Fitness Day |
| 23 | International Jazz Day |
| 25 | Memorial Day |
| 25 | National Tap Dance Day |
| 27 | National Senior Health and Fitness Day |
June
|
June Dairy Month |
|
National Accordion Awareness Month |
|
National Safety Month |
| 1-7 | International Volunteer Week |
| 1-7 | National Fishing Week |
| 1-7 | National Iced Tea Week |
| 4-11 | * Nurse Assistants Day and Week |
| 5 | National Attitude Day |
| 6 | National Family Day |
| 6-12 | Pet Appreciation Week |
| 7-13 | National Ergonomics Week |
| 7-13 | National Hug Holiday Week |
| 7-13 | Support Group Recognition Week |
| 8-14 | National Flag Week |
| 8-14 | National Men's Health Week |
| 14 | Family History Day |
| 14 | Flag Day |
| 18 | National Splurge Day |
| 19 | National Juggling Day |
| 21 | Father's Day |
| 25 | International Sing-Out Day |
| 28 | Special Recreation Day |
| 28-7/6 | Special Recreation Week |
July
|
Anti-Boredom Month |
|
Cultivate Your Character Month |
|
National Baked Bean Month |
|
National Blueberry Month |
|
National Financial Freedom Day |
| 1 | International Joke Day |
| 4 | Independence Day |
| 6-10 | Music for Life Week |
| 6-12 | Take Charge of Change Week |
| 10 | * Intern Appreciation Day |
| 12-18 | * National Therapeutic Recreation Week |
| 24 | Cousins Day |
August
|
Medic Alert Awareness Month |
|
Romance Awareness Month |
| 1-7 | International Clown Week |
| 1-7 | Simplify Your Life Week |
| 2 | Friendship Day |
| 2 | Sisters' Day |
| 3-9 | National Bargain Hunting Week |
| 3-9 | National Smile Week |
| 7 | Halfway Point of Summer |
| 9 | Book Lovers Day |
| 9 | Family Day |
| 9 | International Art Appreciation Day |
| 9 | National Hand-Holding Day |
| 10-16 | Don't Wait -- Celebrate! Week |
| 10-16 | National I Love Cowboys and Cowgirls Day |
| 15 | National Relaxation Day |
| 22 | Be An Angel Day |
| 26 | Make Your Own Luck Day |
September
|
American Heritage Month |
|
National Chicken Month |
|
National Food Education Safety Month |
|
National Honey Month |
|
National Humor in Business Month |
|
National Mindmapping Month |
|
National Mushroom Month |
|
National Piano Month |
|
National Rice Month |
|
Self-Improvement Month |
| 7 | Labor Day |
| 7-13 | * Mental Health Workers' Week |
| 10 | Swap Ideas Day |
| 13 | National Grandparents Day |
| 13-19 | * International Housekeepers Week |
| 13-19 | National Mindmapping and Brainstorming Week |
| 13-19 | * National Rehabilitation Week |
| 13-20 | Fall Hat Week |
| 14 | National Boss/Employee Exchange Day |
| 15 | * National Caregivers Day |
| 15-20 | Balance Awareness Week |
| 20 | Rosh Hashanah begins at Sundown |
| 20-26 | National Dog Week |
| 21-22 | Rosh Hashanah |
| 21-25 | * National Food Service Employees Week |
| 21-25 | National Imperfection Week |
| 22 | Elephant Appreciation Day |
| 22 | * National Centenarians Day |
| 22 | 95th Birthday of the Ice Cream Cone |
| 23 | * National Food Service Employees Day |
| 25 | *National Laundry Workers' Day (always celebrated Friday of third full week of September) |
| 27 | Ancestor Appreciation Day |
| 27 | Yom Kippur begins at Sundown |
| 27 | Yom Kippur |
October
|
American Heritage Month |
|
Computer Learning Month |
|
Diversity Awareness Month |
|
Month of the Dinosaur |
|
National Cookie Month |
|
National Dental Hygiene Month |
|
National Depression Education and Awareness Month |
|
National Dessert Month |
|
National Disability Employment Awareness Month |
|
National Make a Will Month |
|
* National Physical Therapy Month |
|
National Pizza Month |
|
National Popcorn Poppin' Month |
|
National Pork Month |
|
National Roller Skating Month |
|
National Sarcastics Awareness Month |
|
National Stamp Collecting Month |
| 2 | * National Custodial Workers Day |
| 3-9 | * National Human Services Professional Awareness Week |
| 4 | Sukkot begins at Sundown |
| 4-10 | Fire Prevention Week |
| 4-10 | Get Organized Week |
| 4-10 | * National Health Care Food Service Week |
| 4-10 | National Skin Care Awareness Week |
| 4-10 | National Spinning and Weaving Week |
| 4-10 | A Taste of the World Week |
| 5 | Sukkot |
| 5-9 | National Customer Service Week |
| 6 | * Physician Assistant Day |
| 8 | National Dessert Day |
| 12 | Columbus Day |
| 12 | International Moment of Frustration Scream Day |
| 15 | National Grouch Day |
| 16 | * National Boss Day |
| 17 | Sweetest Day |
| 18-24 | National Health Education Week |
| 18-24 | National Infection Control Week |
| 19 | Elevate Your Life Day |
| 24 | Make a Difference Day |
| 25 | Mother-in-Law Day |
| 25-31 | National Massage Therapy Awareness Week |
| 25-31 | National Save Your Back Week |
| 27 | Cranky Co-Workers Day |
| 31 | Halloween |
| 31 | National Magic Day |
November
|
National Alzheimer's Disease Month |
|
National Diabetes Month |
|
National Epilepsy Awareness Month |
|
National Hospice Month |
|
Peanut Butter Lovers' Month |
| 1-7 | National Fig Week |
| 3 | General Election Day |
| 6 | Halfway Point of Autumn |
| 6 | Saxophone Day |
| 7 | Sadie Hawkins Day |
| 8 | Abet and Aid Punsters Day |
| 8-14 | National Split Pea Soup Week |
| 10 | Hunter's Moon |
| 11 | Armistice Day |
| 11 | Veterans Day |
| 15-21 | National Geography Awareness Week |
| 17 | Homemade Bread Day |
| 17 | World Peace Day |
| 18 | Mickey Mouse's Birthday |
| 19 | Mickey Mouse's Birthday |
| 19 | Great American Smokeout |
| 19 | Have a Bad Day Day |
| 21 | World Hello Day |
| 22-28 | National Game and Puzzle Week |
| 22-29 | National Bible Week |
| 23-29 | National Family Caregivers Week |
| 25 | Shopping Reminder Day |
| 26 | Thanksgiving Day |
| 26 | "What Do You Love about America" Day |
December
|
Bingo's Birthday Month |
|
National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month |
|
Universal Human Rights Month |
| 6 | St. Nicholas Day |
| 7-13 | Recipe Greetings for the Holidays |
| 10 | Human Rights Day |
| 10-16 | Human Rights Week |
| 14-21 | Chanukah |
| 21 | Humbug Day |
| 21 | Winter Begins |
| 25 | Christmas |
| 26 | National Whiner's Day |
| 31 | Make Up Your Mind Day |
| 31 | New Year's Eve |
* Special Staff/Customer/Volunteer Recognition
Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
204 South Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
Telephone: (608)255-7060
FAX:(608)255-7064