Angela Liu

Fifteen-year-old Angela Liu, an accomplished musician with a gift for playing the flute, is helping bring more color and texture to the world for people who cannot see. In 2013, Angela started Blind Light Foundation with a mission to support students who are blind or visually impaired, enhancing their quality of life and creating new ways to interact with the sighted world around them.

"I’ve been wearing glasses since I was three," says Angela, "and I was very fortunate to receive great medical treatment. I want to give children the same kind of treatment that I received when I was young. I want to become a pediatric ophthalmologist and help kids with vision impairments."

Angela hosts an annual benefit concert in Pasadena, California, featuring student performances to raise money that helps pay for living expenses and tuition for 200 blind students in the U.S. and China. In total, Angela has collected $38,000 to date through these performances for her cause.

Half a world away, she is making inroads for blind students at schools in Zhengzhou and Beijing. On her travels to these schools, this young music protégé brings musical recorders to teach completely blind and severely sight-impaired students how to play the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.” According to Angela, "Learning the musical recorder sparked something in them: self-confidence to take a risk and serve as class leaders. Music added another beautiful dimension to their life. It became a part of their identities. That was my 'aha' moment. Instantly, I realized why I went to China again, and why I want to keep going year after year." Angela keeps the friendships she has made abroad going strong by staying connected to her Chinese friends via social media.

This talented musician has performed in more than 50 classical music concerts as a soloist. "I started playing piano at the age of 5 and flute at age 9," Angela recalls. "In the beginning, I felt the thrill of producing music through an instrument for the very first time. Over the years, as the difficulty of the music pieces increased exponentially, I discovered a new joy. I love to share music with the blind and sight-impaired community. The joy of sharing with the community fuels my passion for playing music."

Using her musical gifts to enrich the lives of young people who are coping with visual impairments, Angela Liu is a genuine Point of Light.

Who are the dynamic young people in your city that could become the next wave of difference makers for a better world? Share their stories with Points of Light, and we’ll do the rest! Go to https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Veronica Stewart

No matter the venue – at swimming pools, rivers, lakes and oceans – water safety and drowning prevention is a universal concern. And, research studies point to a gap in equity for minorities and low income households when it comes to accessing swim lessons to keep young people safe. According to a national study by USA Swimming, research indicates two out of three African-American and Hispanic children cannot swim. Veronica Stewart, a 17-year-old lifeguard from Henrico, Virginia, set out on a mission to change the odds for minority youth by mobilizing volunteer resources to teach them how.

Veronica’s amazing story began while researching community service opportunities to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. “My passion for swimming led me to become a lifeguard,” Veronica explains. “I learned a lot about water safety, and at the same time I also realized the lack of knowledge many people had about this important life skill and realized how dangerous this was especially for children.”

Partnering with a local summer camp, Veronica created a scholarship program for low income minority children to give them instruction. The effort is supported by local businesses that she approached for donations. Veronica teaches swimming lessons and helps the campers – 60 children aged 2 through 10 – feel more at ease in the water. Lorna Pope, a local parent, describes what Veronica’s work has meant for her son:

“A few years ago my five year old, Malachi, almost drowned. Up until he took Veronica’s class he was terrified to get in the water. The help that she has given him has made a huge difference!”

To reach more families and spread the word on an issue she cares about, Veronica created a Facebook page titled “Water Safety for Children,” complete with articles, statistics and resources to help educate families. She also volunteered with two local elementary schools to teach a water safety program that was folded into each school’s annual curriculum. Veronica even spearheaded a project in conjunction with YMCA’s “learn to swim” program that collected nearly 500 bathing suits for inner city second-graders. In all, Veronica estimates she spent 130 hours getting these programs an up and running. Now, the programs have become self-sustaining through support from other volunteers in her community.

“It is a rewarding experience being able to change the future of someone’s life by teaching a skill they will never forget, and in turn they will teach their children,” Veronica says. “You get so much more in life when you give to someone else, and at same time build confidence in yourself as you complete the challenges and see the results!”

Translating her passion for community outreach and water recreation into a sustainable program to make her community more informed, Veronica Stewart is a shining example of what it means to be a Daily Point of Light.

Where do you see positive change happening in your community? Share the story of a volunteer or an organization doing a great job with voluntary programs by submitting a nomination for the Daily Point of Light Award at https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Remington Youngblood

Meet Remington Youngblood, the charismatic 13-year-old leader of a movement in north Atlanta to engage students in supporting America’s servicemen and servicewomen. With support from local schools, businesses and community figures, Remington’s Change 4 Georgia organization has led dozens of volunteer projects to honor and thank those who protect our country, both at home and overseas, netting more than one million dollars in cash and in-kind donations over the past three years.

The list of programs and initiatives – each with its own clever name – taken on by Remington and his volunteer army of classmates is astounding:

* “Operation Oatmeal” has now collected nearly 3,000 boxes of hot breakfast cereal to ship overseas. “We have troops in Afghanistan specifically requesting it,” Remington points out.

* Through “Operation Hope and Inspiration,” Remington’s friends and classmates get together to make greeting cards and write letters to troops stationed abroad.

* Activities like the “Suds 4 Soldiers” car wash, organized by Remington’s friends, help raise money on behalf of Change 4 Georgia to create student veteran scholarships.

* The “Dynamite Diaper Duty Donation Drive” rounds up thousands of new diapers to give to veteran families as a way to help defray the expense of baby care.

* Change 4 Georgia youths launched the “Yum Gum Drive” to collect thousands of pounds of candy and bubble gum to send overseas. According to Remington, “One solider told us they love candy and gum. They spend time guarding for hours and chewing on candy gives them something to do.”

Change 4 Georgia supports countless other programs oriented toward supporting members of the military. “We continue to grow in many ways, including inspiring students and adults to community service. We never stop trying new programs to help others,” Remington adds.

Remington’s amazing volunteer story might not have happened were it not for his perseverance. Soon after moving to Georgia at age 10, Remington sought out volunteer service opportunities but was told by many agencies that he was too young to participate. He asked his mother if he could create his own opportunity to serve, and it wasn’t long before Change 4 Georgia began drawing interest from young volunteers in schools across north Atlanta.

Where did Remington’s motivation to start this movement originate? “My mom is very compassionate, and my parents instilled in me the importance of helping others,” says Remington. Equally important is his appreciation for freedom. “My great-grandfather was a Marine in WWII stationed on a battleship in the Pacific Ocean” Remington explains. He inspired me to give a hand up to our troops and our veterans.”

The entrepreneurial spirit Remington brings to his cause has opened some exciting doors, including state and national recognition. Remington recently received a commendation from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal as well as The Hasbro Community Action Hero Award, applauding his good work. Remington and his unique brand of programs to support military active-duty and veterans demonstrate how much fun volunteering can be, making this young leader a Point of Light.

Help Points of Light share the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary work for stronger communities! Nominate your local heroes for a Daily Point of Light Award at https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Christine Lott

What Christine Lott saw during a volunteer mission trip to Africa motivated her to give up her career in investment banking back in Boston, Massachusetts, and start a school in Tanzania … from nothing.

In her role as the school’s founder, Christine has engaged more than 1,000 volunteers worldwide since 2007 to help raise funds for the upstart school, which hopes to add a class each year as financial resources grow. “At age 5 and 6, our students are reading and speaking in English,” Christine states proudly. “We are instilling dreams for our students to reach for the stars. They all have big aspirations, and this opportunity may help end the cycle of poverty for their families.”

The origins of Christine’s connection to Tanzania, a nation located on Africa’s eastern coast, began in 2007, when she traveled there on a volunteer mission to work with Masai women. While there, she made a promise to a congregation that she would build them a church. Over the next two years, she worked to raise money and traveled to Tanzania to fulfill her promise. During her time there, Christine recognized a clear need for more educational resources to foster learning advancement among the children there, many of whom attend schools with no books and overwhelmed teachers trying to manage class sizes that exceed 120 students.

Christine learned from USAID that some 85% of 7th grade students in Tanzania cannot read their local language, Swahili, or solve basic math problems. Through her work at the Tanzania School Foundation, Christine and her colleagues have established two classes serving 28 students, bringing the resources to help close the gap between what they have and what they need to learn. The effort has brought more interaction between this school and other resources in the community: families of students help with preparing lunch for students and making school uniforms, and local artists are offering a portion of the proceeds from their goods sold worldwide to fund school programs.

“I believe our students are the happiest children in Tanzania,” Christine reflects. “They not only learn academic subjects, but also how to take care of their bodies. They brush their teeth every day, exercise and learn manners, sing songs. The school is the only place where they get positive attention.” Learn more about the Tanzania School Foundation at: http://www.tanzaniaschoolfoundation.org/

At home and abroad, passionate volunteers are shaking up the status quo to create lasting change and make the world a better place. Know anyone who’s making a difference? Nominate them for a Daily Point of Light award at https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Melinda Wang

Sometimes all it takes to create change is the resources you have around you. Using a webcam and free online resources, honor student Melinda Wang provides free online peer-to-peer tutoring for K-12 students locally and globally, helping young people build a solid academic foundation..

Both on her own and through her involvement with Education Beyond the Classroom, a non-profit organization started by high school students in San Diego, Melinda has tutored more than 20 pupils through individual sessions and in excess of 100 students in a group setting.

Her efforts began at a local library, working one-on-one with underprivileged students in San Diego. And through the many advances of online connectivity, the reach of Melinda’s instructional insight has made a positive impact on students as far away as China and India. According to Melinda, the primary focus of her volunteer tutoring activity in China is to help students prepare for the English section of the Gao Kao, the national Chinese college entrance exam.

“I remember my first online lesson with international students very clearly,” Melinda recalls. “I had prepared for hours to make sure my first lesson went well. By the end, I thought it was a failure, as the students did not reply or answer my questions. I was warned about their shyness, but was not prepared for the dead silence that met every question.” Melinda remembers her parents sitting across from her, giving her strange looks and re-checking the Internet connection, thinking there was no one on the other end to hear the lesson. But the lessons picked up steam and Melinda’s pupils abroad became more engaged. “Looking back on it, I find it especially funny, as the students now actively participate in class,” says Melinda.

Melinda has found success in recruiting other high school students from California and other states to sign on as volunteer tutors to serve local youth. The appeal for these high-achieving, young tutors to participate is strong because the schools they attend require community service projects in order to graduate. What’s more, the colleges they hope to attend look for candidates with a demonstrated passion for community involvement.

Melinda’s message to young people about the importance of giving back comes straight from the heart: “During this time in your life when you are (relatively) free from the restraints of bills and full-time jobs, volunteering is a way to make a difference by simply giving up a bit of your time. Students often complain about the problems of the world (poverty, homelessness, etc.), so why not try to start making changes now? It's important to remember that even helping one person is removing a piece of the problem. And if there are many others doing the same, the number of those in need will decrease. If you've been lucky enough to get a good education, please help others get one as well.”

Dedicating about six hours per week to enthusiastically sharing her knowledge of science, technology, engineering, math and foreign languages with other youth, Melinda is making a difference in the lives of young learners. This Daily Point of Light’s good deeds are moving more future leaders to the head of the class.

Know someone who’s leading by example in their community? Nominate them today for a Daily Point of Light Award at https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Alliance Supports Corp

In a suburb of Orlando, Florida, one organization is creating positive change by giving adults with cognitive disabilities the opportunity to make a salient contribution in their hometown.

Based in Apopka, Florida, Alliance Supports Corp (ASC) organizes volunteer projects as part of a day program for adults with special needs. The volunteer group of fifteen adults has tackled several important issues, ranging from hunger to hygiene. ASC participates in the distribution of a meals on wheels program that brings 2,300 hot meals to shut-in seniors annually. The group’s work on community food drives in 2014 has netted 800 pounds of food for the local food bank. And ASC volunteers are participating in a cause to recycle soap for use in developing countries to fight infection.

Through this work, ASC demonstrates an important concept about belonging: that communities are not complete unless all the people that make up a community are involved in change. ASC’s members convey this message not only through their actions, but also through a puppet show that has reached more than 1,000 pre-school aged youths with a message about inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.

Helping a person in need took on very special and urgent meaning when one of the ASC volunteers delivered food to a meals on wheels recipient and found the person in distress at her home when he knocked on the door. Quick thinking by this volunteer to have a friend dial 911 saved the person’s life.

What has changed for the volunteers participating in these causes? According to ASC founder Paul Durand, “We’re helping people build skills and build a resume with practical work experience so they can seek employment. We’re also helping them build self-esteem. When you’re helping someone else, you feel better about yourself.”

Alliance Supports Corp lives up to its motto of “people doing exceptional things,” enriching the local community and exemplifying what it means to shine brightly through volunteer service as a Daily Point of Light Awardee. According to Paul, “When we’re out working on volunteer projects, people come up to me and say ‘If these guys from ASC are doing this, I can be doing more.’”

Where do you see positive social change happening in your neighborhood? Tell Points of Light by submitting a nomination today for an individual or group that’s making a difference. Go to: https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Marion County Search and Rescue

When public safety officials in Marion County, Florida, need help in emergency situations involving missing persons, they call on a special group of volunteers. Created in 2013, Marion County Search and Rescue assists law enforcement, emergency management and fire rescue agencies in Marion County and adjoining counties in Central Florida. Always at the ready, this team of highly-trained volunteers aids first responders in search, rescue and recovery operations involving lost, missing or incapacitated persons.

Like many volunteer organizations, the team at Marion County Search and Rescue – numbering 66 members – attracts enthusiastic people from all walks of life. According to Team Director Frank Marino, “We have a place for everyone on this team. There are engineers and housewives. Our youngest member is 18 years old, and our oldest member is 74.”

These tireless members have put in more than 700 hours of search time and 250 hours of community outreach, informing the public about their work and how to be prepared in case of man-made or natural emergencies. Social media communication has quickly become a key element of Marion County Search and Rescue’s relationship with the community. The team shares tips for emergency preparedness and alerts everyone in their network about missing persons.

When first responders have needed extra hands on deck to support search operations, Marion County Search and Rescue has mobilized to help. The combined efforts of law enforcement and these volunteers helped rescue and safely return two missing persons so far in 2014, one of whom went missing in the expansive Ocala National Forest.

According to Frank, “You cannot describe the feeling when you touch someone’s life, especially when people are in need.” The community in Central Florida is stronger – and safer – thanks to the good work being done by volunteer organizations like Marion County Search and Rescue, today’s Daily Point of Light.

Who are the unsung heroes in your community that make a difference through volunteerism? Tell their story by nominating them for a Daily Point of Light award at https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

Enrique Acosta-Gonzalez

Every community needs that person who goes above and beyond to support and lift up the community. On the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, Enrique Acosta-Gonzalez is that person. Enrique has been a non-stop volunteer for this community since returning to the islands in 2012. But his commitment to service started long before that.

Enrique enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989 and has been deployed to multiple regions across the globe on seven different platforms. Through his tours of duty, Enrique has given much of his time to supporting our service men and women. This year, Enrique was instrumental in planning the first Wounded Warrior Pacific Invitational (WWPI), largest joint-service competition to take place outside of the annual Warrior Games, and featuring wounded warrior athletes from the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations Command. The goal of the WWPI isn't to identify the most skilled athletes, but rather to showcase the potential of wounded warriors through athletic events. This event helps keep wounded warriors engaged in a community of similar individuals and provides the avenue for them to be rehabilitated and receive the medical attention they need. With encouragement from Enrique, more than 100 athletes and 400 volunteers gathered for this event creating a rewarding experience for all involved.

But Enrique doesn’t stop there. He gives his time the Moanalua School Partnership Excellence Program to fortify the relationship between the Navy and local schools. Thanks to his efforts with the USS Missouri teak restoration project more than half of the deck of this venerable battleship has been restored with new teak. Enrique helps mentor children at local schools, and even engaged 85 youth to help repaint their school campus and plant a vegetable garden. He has given countless hours to the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and still manages to volunteer at local church events. Enrique’s volunteer efforts have resulted in over 1,000 hours of service. Enrique continues to promote the power in volunteerism and foster a spirit of giving among his peers. In each of his many volunteer efforts, he has taken another volunteer under his wing to continue the mission of selfless giving and enhance the community. Working tirelessly and having fun, this Daily Point of Light is ensuring that the next generation has another leader to show the community the way.

Nominate your community’s “Enrique” today at https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination

CHERUBS: The Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Awareness, and Support

After spending hundreds of hours in the hospital's medical library researching a rare birth defect in her newborn son and finding support only from parents she met at the hospital, Dawn M. Torrence Williamson recognized the opportunity to build support for a cause where none had existed before.

Dawn’s son, Shane Torrence (1/28/93-9/11/99), was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a birth defect that makes it difficult for babies to draw a breath. Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) occurs in approximately one in every 2,500 births, creating 1,600 cases in the U.S. each year. The diaphragm is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and controls the lungs' ability to inhale and exhale. The cause of CDH is not yet known.

Imagine being a parent whose newborn child suffers from CDH, yet has nowhere to turn for answers, help and support. That is where CHERUBS comes into the picture. Started by Dawn in 1995, and impacted by Shane’s short yet meaningful life, the purpose of CHERUBS is to not only bring resources to parents of children born with CDH but also to rally the medical community around finding the cause and prevention of this devastating birth defect.

CHERUBS’ list of milestones and accomplishments is long thanks to the tireless and selfless efforts of their completely volunteer organization. CHERUBS has:

* organized international CDH conferences and presented at pediatric surgical conferences

* published three books about CDH

* helped to find the Alliance of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia International Organizations

* started multiple awareness and fundraising campaigns

* run the world's largest long-term CDH Research Study

Through CHERUBS hard work, last year alone over 4,500 families were supported, $50,000 in research money was raised, and CDH Awareness Day was recognized by many states, cities and the U.S. Senate during the month of April.

After much hard work and letter writing, reaching out to hospitals and other charities, and learning many skills along the way, this grassroots charity has grown into the largest CDH charity in the world and the first CDH charity in the United States. Even after Dawn’s son passed away, she continued to work tirelessly with the support of volunteers so that no CDH family has to be alone.

Know an organization like CHERUBS that is working hard to do something that has never been done before? Nominate them today for a Daily Point of Light Award!