Today’s post was written by Laura Gonzo, President, Gonzo Media Strategies. She is also a self-professed dogganista, blogger, corporate marketing refugee and excitable advocate for social good.
Each year on Presidents Day we are reminded of iconic moments from our nation’s leaders: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address; Kennedy’s “Ask Not What You Can Do For Your Country” inauguration speech.
One of my favorites will always be George H. W. Bush’s 1989 inaugural address in which he spoke of “Points of Light” – an electrifying reminder of our power as individuals to engage, mobilize and make significant and lasting change in our communities, both local and global.
Who is a Point of Light in your world?
For Ashley Cannady of Gainesville, Georgia, it’s Vicki Moore of Rahab’s Rope, who offers refuge and rehabilitation to women who have escaped from the human trafficking industry in India.
Her inspiring story and many more are being posted at this very moment on the Points of Light Tribute Wall as part of a larger event that will include a tribute to President George H.W. Bush and his legacy of public service at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Personally, I am profoundly energized by the amazing work, innovative ideas, passion, and indefatigable dedication of those people – those Points of Light – who have decided that they can and will change things for the better. They aren’t looking for recognition but they deserve it, and the act of telling their stories can inspire others, igniting new Points of Light and providing fuel for those who continue to shine despite the most unimaginable challenges.
In addition to the Tribute Wall, Points of Light Institute is holding a Facebook contest as another way to celebrate volunteer heroes and to inspire others. Winners are eligible to win an expenses-paid trip to attend the star-studded tribute event in at the Kennedy Center in DC.
Go! Now! “Like”! Write!
Not only do volunteer heroes deserve a little online love, in the bigger picture your participation can help draw attention to the Service Generation Campaign, which seeks to recruit and activate 500,000 (yes, five-hundred thousand) service leaders and to help design and execute 2,000,000 (yes, two MILLION) impact-driven volunteer projects. That’s all kinds of amazing and it starts with Y-O-U!
So give a shout out to your favorite Point of Light already. Who has inspired you? Who do you know that is moving a mountain, even if it’s one pebble at a time? Who is it that just knocks your socks off?
I knew immediately who I wanted to recognize. As soon as I finish this blog, I’m going to put on some lipstick and fire up the video camera. It’s going to be good. Be sure to look for it on the Tribute Wall!
Can’t wait to see yours.
