Big Sunday
Big Sunday helps build community through community service. The idea is that everyone has some way they can help. Last year, Big Sunday mobilized 50,000 volunteers from all walks of life to help out on Big Sunday Weekend in May. The organization also mobilized more than 500 volunteers for the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, benefiting 2,500 people. Big Sunday is now a year-round organization, with a calendar listing more than 1,000 ways to get involved every year; monthly special events; more than 100 giving events at the holidays; an online wish list; a Youth in Action program; special corporate event planning; and more. Of all the things that Big Sunday does, the thing it enjoys the most is bringing people together to make the world a better place.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. HandsOn Network volunteer action centers and Red Cross local chapters have collaborated on numerous projects across the country, including Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans and New York City. Nationally, the American Red Cross partnered with Points of Light and HandsOn Network in 2011 at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service to develop preparedness kits for seniors, and continues to be a core partner of the Good & Ready preparedness engagement initiative. The American Red Cross serves on the National Advisory Council that guides Points of Light military initiatives including the Community Blueprint Network, and sponsors one Community Blueprint pilot site.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is an international service organization founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. For the 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, AKA's 950 chapters organized America’s Sunday Suppers across the country and abroad, engaging more than 20,000 in dinner, a movie, meaningful discussion and service projects. The sorority also engaged more than 5,000 middle school girls participating in its Emerging Young Leaders program in service projects focused on human rights and creating equal opportunities for all Americans.
Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon, 14, is a junior at Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Ill., and founder and coordinator of the Highland Park Volunteer Snow Shoveling program. The program matches willing and able volunteers with elderly and disabled community residents to help with snow removal.
Alex solicited volunteers from local churches, synagogues, civic organizations and community news outlets. He also engaged other high school students and youth. The program won’t end with Alex’s graduation, he realizes the good it is creating in his community and plans to pass the program on to a younger student. Alex is proof that no one is too young to create positive action and be a Daily Point of Light.
