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Reid Park Zoo's top artist — an African elephant — kicked off a campaign for a national volunteer day Tuesday by painting a trash can.

Shaba's paint job signaled the beginning of a volunteer drive that culminates next month when thousands are expected to gather for National Make a Difference Day.

In that effort, Oct. 28 at Reid Park, volunteers will paint trash cans that then will be placed in Tucson and Nogales, Ariz., to encourage people to pick up trash.

The day also features free food, music provided by MIX-FM and the Tucson Police Foundation's "Run Down Crime" 5K.

The event gives people an opportunity to see the immediate impact volunteering has on the community, said Joe Sal-kowski, a spokesman for Tucson Electric Power, which is helping to sponsor the event.

"When you get to see what can be accomplished in a single day, it makes you think about what could be accomplished in five days, or a year," he said.

The event also gives people an opportunity to volunteer with their children, Salkowski said.

In helping children volunteer, parents instill a sense of community service in them, he said.

The children see the impact of the event, Salkowski said, adding that his 6-year-old daughter did last year.

After painting a trash can, Salkowski's daughter, Reilly, saw one at her school a short time later. "She makes a point of telling kids to throw stuff in the trash can," he said.

Giving time to volunteer is one of the easiest decisions a person can make, said Jason Ott, a spokesman for Citigroup, another sponsor of the event.

Other sponsors include The Home Depot and the Arizona Daily Star.

To sign up for the project, visit www.tep.com.