This week, I had the opportunity to speak at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service here in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by Points of Light, the conference is the world’s largest annual gathering of volunteering and service leaders and supporters.
I also announced that President Obama and the First Lady will host a celebration at the White House, on July15, 2013, in honor of the 5,000th Daily Point of Light award.
This year’s conference theme, “Service Unites,” highlights how serving communities can bring together people from all backgrounds.
During his inaugural address in 1989, President George H.W. Bush called on all Americans to work together for the good of their country. He described his vision of a thousand points of light in our communities spreading like stars throughout the Nation, each doing good.
In response to President Bush’s call, Points of Light was created. Today, over 4 million volunteers serve their communities through Points of Light.
As President Obama said during the 20th anniversary of Points of Light, “In the end, service binds us to each other– and to our communities and our country– in a way that nothing else can. That's how we become more fully American. It's always been the case in this country — that notion that we invest ourselves, our time, our energy, our vision, our purpose into the very fabric of this nation. That's the essence of our liberty– that we give back, freely.”
Fonte: White House