Atlanta, October 12, 2011 — Points of Light Institute today formally installed a medallion at The Extra Mile – Points of Light Volunteer Pathway in Washington, D.C., celebrating the life and service of Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP. The Extra Mile is the only national monument created and dedicated to the spirit of volunteerism and America’s belief in the power of individuals to make a different in the world.
The Extra Mile was created and is owned by Points of Light and honors those, like Dr. Andrus, who selflessly championed causes to help others realize a better America. Artur Davis, a member of the Points of Light’s board, was joined by AARP Board Chairman Phil Zarlengo to make the formal presentation of the medallion.
“Points of Light is committed to extending the idea of empowering effective people to use voluntary action to create positive change in our communities,” said Davis. “The work of Dr. Andrus, and the other 32 inductees of The Extra Mile, lives on through this monument and inspires young people to become the future leaders of the service sector.”
Dr. Andrus founded AARP in 1958, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people age 50 and older have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. Today, more than nine million people engage in AARP’s work as volunteers, donors and activists.
"Dr. Andrus is often quoted as saying, ‘what we do, we do for all,’ words that continue to guide AARP’s work to this day,” said Zarlengo. “She believed in ‘purposeful activity’ and that good-will service to others has a lifelong, positive impact on all of society.”
The Extra Mile brings to life the stories of great Americans, who through their caring and personal sacrifice, reached out to others and built their dreams into great movements that helped people across America. President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush dedicated the monument on Oct. 14, 2005; since then 33 honorees have been inducted into The Extra Mile.
About Points of Light
Points of Light is the leading volunteer organization, with a mission to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. We connect people to their power to make a meaningful difference by providing access to tools, resources and opportunities to help 21st century volunteers use all of their assets – their time, talent, voice and money – to meet the critical needs of our time. We are organized to innovate, incubate and activate new ideas through our action networks, including: HandsOn Network, our network of 250 local affiliates across the country and around the world; generationOn, the youth service movement that ignites the power of kids to make their mark on the world; and AmeriCorps Alums, the national service alumni network that activates the next generation of service leaders. For more information, visit www.PointsofLight.org.
We put people at the center of change.