All about becoming the change you wish to see in the world – now and local

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA

Have you ever wanted to ‘make a difference? Well, you get that opportunity every year! Make a Difference Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of October, which is this next Saturday, October 22, and is all about becoming the change you wish to see in the world. Every year, thousands of individuals come together to volunteer, raise funds, offer support, and learn about the most urgent needs in our society. Over 20 years ago, Make a Difference Day was sponsored by USA Weekend (a supplement to USA Today) and the Points of Light Foundation. While neither organization sponsors the event now, Points of Lights still celebrates individuals that are making a difference.

What is Points of Light?

In his 1989 inaugural address, President George H.W. Bush (the founder of the Points of Light Foundation – POLF) shared his vision of "a thousand points of light" — individuals and organizations across the nation helping others through service. Today, POLF transcends politics and borders to inspire millions worldwide. POLF’s mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. According to their website, “we envision a world in which everyone discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies.” Click here for more information.

The Volunteer Academy Awards

On Monday, October 24, POLF will host the fourth annual celebration of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards to honor individuals who demonstrate the transformative power of service and who are driving significant and sustained impact through their everyday actions and words that light the path for other points of light. If you are interested in attending, it will be at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City. This year’s recipients include José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, and Maurice R. “Hank” Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Starr Insurance Companies, a global insurance, and investment organization. You can learn more about these two outstanding individuals and this event, click here.

A Volunteer Celebrity Closer to Home

In addition, to Andres and Greenberg, 20 others will be celebrated as well. These individuals may not have the influence of the celebrity recipients, but they are making a huge difference in their own communities. One such person is Alexander Tsao from Seattle, who founded Rocks2Dogs, a student-led 501c3 nonprofit organization that repurposes retired rock-climbing ropes into pet leashes! While Tsao may not be from our area, we can still be inspired by his actions, and hopefully, you dear readers will either nominate yourself or someone you know who is making a difference in Thurston County so that next year, we can be reading about one of our own. I have known someone who received the Daily Points of Light Award, and you do not have to ‘save the world.’ Just make a difference in your corner of the world. You can learn more about TSAO and the other difference makers. To read more, click here.

Join the Washington Make a Difference Day Cleanup

On Saturday, October 22, communities across Washington will come together at locally organized clean-ups to make a dent in our growing waste problem and learn how to take action to improve our recycling systems to move towards a plastic-free future! Here in Thurston County, our OlySurfrider chapter will host a cig butt cleanup, education, and activities in partnership with Pacific Shellfish Institute and Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program beginning at Stellar Juices in Downtown Olympia. Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots activist network, and chapters like the one in Olympia are comprised of passionate volunteers working towards their vision of 100% coastal protection. For more details or to register for this event, click here.  

More Nonprofit Events

• Saturday, October 22, Olympia Lamplighters, a nonprofit art gallery and coworking space, will be hosting their Fall Fundraiser Gala. The event will celebrate three years of operation and include a silent art auction as well as a raffle. Proceeds from the gala will support scholarships for membership and classes, equipment costs, and salaries for teachers and coordinators. For more details, click here.
• Saturday, October 22, head to Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point) to celebrate the completion of Olympia’s Community Solar’s 2022 Solarize program. Olympia Community Solar is a collaborative nonprofit dedicated to stewarding an equitable and accessible transition to clean energy through community solar education, policy, and project development. For more details on this event, click here.
• Lot’s going on this Saturday, October 22 - Join Wolf Haven International at the WET Science Center for a presentation, “Orcas and Wolves,” as they explore the differences, similarities, ecological roles, and what both species mean to our region. For more details, click here.
• Get your costumes ready! The Hands-On Children's Museum will be celebrating ten days of Halloween-inspired fun at Boo Bash, October 22-31! For more details, click here.

Soliciting your ideas

If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at  MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com