A Journey from Scout to Local Service Leader

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Scarlett Mu. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

In San Leandro, California, 11-year-old Scarlett Mu doesn’t just see a park. She sees a canvas for community connection. Since early 2025, Scarlett has been involved with the Beautify San Leandro program, transitioning seamlessly from high-level project planning to the hands-on grit of shoreline cleanups at Marina Park. While many her age are just beginning to navigate their social circles, Scarlett is navigating the complexities of civic responsibility, contributing 15 to 20 hours per month to ensure that local public spaces remain safe and welcoming. For her, service isn’t a chore—it is “love in action,” a philosophy that has transformed her into a bridge between the city’s recreation departments and the people they serve.

This commitment to the common good is a family legacy that spans generations. Inspired by a childhood spent following her mother to various service projects, Scarlett now leads a multi-generational team that includes her 4-year-old sister and her 72-year-old grandmother. This family unit operates on a simple, profound belief: because society has nurtured them, they must contribute with their own collective effort. Whether she’s planting trees at Chabot Park or supporting the vibrant San Leandro Cherry Festival, Scarlett proves that age is never a barrier to impact.

Beyond her work with the city, Scarlett’s leadership shines through her roles as a den chief in her scout troop and as a budding social entrepreneur. She co-founded the “Cookies for Pizza” initiative, a creative endeavor where she and her sister bake and sell treats to fund warm meals for unhoused individuals in their community. By inspiring both her peers and adults to step up, Scarlett Mu is showing her city that when we act in service of others, we strengthen the fabric of our society. Read on to hear more of her story.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

My primary volunteer roles include participating in community projects organized by the San Leandro Recreation and Parks Department, such as shoreline clean-ups and tree planting, supporting local events like the Cherry Festival and more.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

For me, service wasn’t something I started. It was a value I was born into. My mother ingrained it in me from a young age, bringing me along to her volunteer activities. Today, it’s a true family affair. My 4-year-old sister and my 72-year-old grandmother are right there with me. Service is more than just an activity. It’s our family’s expression of love in action, and we believe that since society has nurtured us, we have responsibility to contribute to society with our own strength. It’s a way of life.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

My hope is to continue weaving services into the fabric of my life and encourage others to do the same. A moment that deepened this commitment was when I went to Costco to buy a pizza, and then I offered it to a man experiencing homelessness. He didn’t eat it immediately. Instead, he carefully shared it with his dog and saved a portion for a friend. This directly inspired my sister and I to start our “Cookies for Pizza” project where we bake and sell cookies to be able buy pizzas for unhoused individuals and volunteers at our local church. This moment also showed me that service is about human connection and mutual respect.

What are your long-term plans or goals for volunteering?

The impact I hope for is twofold. Firstly, I want to leave our public spaces cleaner and greener for everyone to enjoy. Secondly, just as importantly, I hope to inspire others. When people see a young person, or see my little sister or my grandmother actively beautify our city, it sends a powerful message that everyone can contribute. It’s about strengthening the bond we all share with San Leandro.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

Some things I’ve learned are that San Leandro isn’t just somewhere I live. It’s a beautiful place where people can gather and do fun activities. Also, in Scouts, I also earned a Citizenship in the Community badge. It was also a call to participate in a system we can all be a part of.

Why is it important for others, especially youth, to get involved with causes they care about?

Starting at a young age feels more natural and joyful. A person at any age can volunteer. It’s not about how much you can do, but that you can do what you can with people you love.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Some advice I can give is to not think about working all by yourself, trying to be the best. Work together as a team. Teamwork makes things more fun, and faster than one person trying to be the best at everything. You don’t have to wait to make a difference. People can start today, right where they are, with the skills they have.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

You can put love into action. That’s how we build a better country, one small act of kindness at a time.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Scarlett? Find local volunteer opportunities.