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DC goes the "Extra Mile" to Honor Philanthropists
Foundation Receives Generous Support for Points of Light Volunteer Pathway
By John Johansen
As Foundation staff prepare for the unveiling of THE EXTRA MILE - Points of Light Volunteer Pathway, individuals and organizations are providing valuable resources to the establishment of this memorial. THE EXTRA MILE has benefited from the generosity of many donors, most notably the KPMG Foundation. KPMG is one of many donors that recognize the importance of this national tribute and have contributed funding to make THE EXTRA MILE monument a reality.
Our nation's capital will soon be home to this unique national monument. Former President George H.W. Bush will dedicate the monument in downtown Washington, D.C. on October 14, 2005. President George W. Bush and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are also on the short list of invitations to the ceremony.
The monument will pay tribute to the leaders of our country's foremost volunteer movements. It tells the stories of these great Americans who, through their caring and personal sacrifice, reached out to others, building their dreams into great movements that have changed the way we live as Americans. It is unique in that it honors those who have profoundly shaped the social fabric of our world through their volunteer service.
While the subject matter makes THE EXTRA MILE unique within the pantheon of Washington monuments and memorials, the form of THE EXTRA MILE truly sets it apart. It is not a building, statue, or other edifice. Rather, it takes the form of a series of bronze markers laid into the sidewalks in an area adjacent to the White House. These markers, or medallions, each recognize an honoree by portraying a bas-relief sculpture of the honoree together with a description of their achievement and a quotation. Other bronze markers at the foot of the Pathway will describe the monument in detail and its general philosophy, mission, vision and values and will recognize donors based on their level of support.
Together, the markers form a one-mile walking path on well-trafficked sidewalks adjacent to the White House and beginning at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 15 th Street. Based on current pedestrian traffic alone, it is estimated that THE EXTRA MILE will have more than 1.7 million visitors per year! This compares favorably with the visitor counts for such well-known landmarks as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.
As former UN Ambassador Andrew Young said, "a great man is one who can dream a dream and then make it become a reality." THE EXTRA MILE is important because those who visit the pathway can truly gain an appreciation of how one person can make a difference and, perhaps, those visitors themselves will be inspired to go the extra mile.
Fifteen honorees will be part of the dedication ceremony and more will be added to the Pathway each year. To submit a nomination online, please visit www.extramile.us and click "Nominate an honoree." For more information on THE EXTRA MILE, contact John Johansen, Extra Mile Senior Director, Public Affairs, JJohansen@PointsofLight.org, 202-729-8273.
For more information on brand recognition and visibility opportunities with high returns and measurable outcomes with this program, contact Jared Hughes, Director of Development Operations,
JHughes@PointsofLight.org, 202-729-8196.
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