One America Unites Rivals in the name of SERVICE!

Video about Volunteering from Points of Light

Thousands of attendees are now in D.C., focusing on the power of service to bridge differences and bring people together - across race, income, politics, religion, age and geography - to help one another.

ONE AMERICA CAMPAIGN UNITES RIVALS IN THE NAME OF SERVICE, OPENS 2013 CONFERENCE

Conference attendees arrive at the
Washington, D.C., convention center.

At the 2013 Conference on Volunteering and Service on Wednesday, Points of Light and JPMorgan Chase announced the launch of the One America campaign (#1America), a national program that brings together rivals in politics, entertainment and sports with the goal of inspiring millions to unite in service.

Thousands of attendees gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., saw a One America plenary session that paired conservative talk show host Bill O’Reilly and liberal pundit and political strategist Donna Brazile, along with Karl Rove, former adviser to President George W. Bush, and David Plouffe, former adviser to President Obama.

That high-energy opener was just the start of the Conference, which runs from  June 19 - 22. Other highlights include the America’s Sunday Supper (#MLK2013) event, sponsored by Target, featuring Grammy award-winner John Legend on Thursday. On Friday, General Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Senator Bernie Sanders join the Military Summit to discuss ways to better serve America’s returning heroes and their families.

Service in action is also on the agenda. Attendees and their families participated on Wednesday in the “Unite in Service Celebration,” sponsored by Bank of America, packing 100,000 "All American Mac n Cheese" meals in less than two hours. Specially formulated to provide balanced nutrition to those facing hunger challenges, the meals will be provided to the Capital Area Food Bank to distribute throughout the region.COMING TOGETHER TO ENVISION ONE AMERICA

Donna Brazile and Karl Rove take a twirl
during the event announcing One America.

During the opening session of the Conference, a crowd of 5,000 saw something unusual – rivals united.

Karl Rove, former adviser to President George W. Bush, David Plouffe, former adviser to President Obama, conservative talk show host Bill O’Reilly and liberal pundit and political strategist Donna Brazile issued a common call. The event marked the official launch of One America, a nationwide, yearlong campaign led by Points of Light, with support from JPMorgan Chase, to bring together rivals in politics, entertainment and sports with the goal of uniting in service.

Earlier in the day, the Faith and Service Unite Summit explored ways to make faith groups even stronger drivers of service. John Kelly, deputy chief of staff for policy at the Corporation for National and Community Service, told attendees that faith groups and the federal government had worthwhile opportunities to work together on issues such as human trafficking and refugee resettlement, and speakers shared tips for strengthening faith-based volunteer networks.

And the Economy Forum: Community Revitalization Through Social Entrepreneurship brought together attendees for a talk on the role of entrepreneurs in community development. The session featured a panel discussion highlighting service-oriented leaders, such as Share Our Strength founder and CEO Bill Shore and CAUSE founder Nick Vilelle.

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• Review highlights from past Conferences – With speakers like Michelle Obama, Arne Duncan, Maria Shriver, Wes Moore, Ruby Dee and Cliff Burrows; entertainment acts like Jon Bon Jovi, Broadway musicals and Percy Sledge; and with dynamic programming such as service projects, youth summits, forums and exhibit hall parties, there’s something for everyone at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service.

Volunteer of the Month for June is Andrea Lask

ACTION:  What has your nominee done or is currently doing?

Andrea has spent over 600 hours volunteering throughout high school toward earning the Student Service Award from the Michigan Community Service Commission.

The Michigan Student Service Award, is a premier statewide program recognizing high school graduates who volunteer a significant number of hours to benefit their communities. Students involved in the Michigan Student Service program over four years will complete and document 400 hours of non-paid community service that meet a recognized community need, under the auspices of a nonprofit organization, government program, community group or school. The following types of activities qualify for certification by the Volunteer Center:

·         Direct Service, such as river clean up, tutoring, spending time with a nursing home resident;

·         Indirect Service, such as computer data entry, fundraising, food collection, board or committee work for a nonprofit;

·         Civic Engagement, advocacy or community organizing, such as beautification, mural painting, community surveys;

Students receive:

·         An Honor Medallion,

·         A Certificate of Distinction for Commitment to Service from the community Volunteer Center

·         Community-wide recognition by the Volunteer Center during National Volunteer Week

NEED:  What community need(s) does your nominee address?

Andrea began volunteering in the 6th Grade with Ionia Kids Club when weekly meetings were at the Ionia Theatre under the management of Dave Cook.  In the early years, Kids Club Members searched out ways to get involved in community projects by providing service such as face painting, assisting with event set up/tear down, or serving refreshments.  As Andrea and other youth developed leadership skils, they began organizing their own community service projects including the "Sweep the Streets" for Global Youth Service Day and the Holiday Hope Chest project providing stocking stuffers to low income families.  After several years of working on these projects as a group, Kids Club now provides service project ideas and support to other community groups. 

IMPACT:  What is different as a result of your nominee’s service?

By working with CERT/Medical Reserve Corps Andrea enjoys using fake injury make-up to stage accidents and disaster scenarios that assist first responders and service providers with valuable training exercises.

Andrea not only spends hours volunteering at the Washington St Garden each summer, but she also volunteers with other Kids Club Members who travel to other gardens throughout Montcalm and Ionia Counties assisting with special work days such as planting days, taking photos for the website, and assisting with writing blogs and garden plans that are available at the Community Food Network website.

Also as part of the Community Food Network, Andrea has assisted with the WION/County-wide Food Drive each year.  When WION first started this food drive nearly 5 years ago, Andrea was one of the volunteers who were "On-Call" to unload food at a moment's notice. Last year, as the Community Food Network took over the management of the drive, Andrea was part of the Planning Committee where she helped organize nearly 300 volunteers who collected, sorted, and tracked over 8000 food items that were shared among local pantries.

Kids Club Leaders and Mentors have had the privilege of watching Andrea grow up throughout Middle and High School as she developed excellent leadership skills and a heart of gold toward giving back to the community.  Andrea is registered to go to Eastern Michigan University in the fall where she will begin a new adventures at college where she will no doubt be a leader at anything she attempts! 

Healthy Recipes Contest Winners 2012:  Alex Lask (18+ Winner) and Andrea Lask ( under 18 Winner)

Ionia Kids Club celebrate Kindness Matters with a donation and tour of the Muir Christian Food Pantry.

Andrea and her parents at IHS Graduation

Andrea and Kids Club Mentor, Amy Buckingham after IHS graduation