Season of Lights, Points of Light

 

Some call this the season of lights. With all the lights and decorations, I can see why. Today I'm going to talk about another kind of light.

 

I don’t usually talk about just one website at a time in my blog. I give lots of websites that have great ideas or provide my own ideas and inspirations. But today, there is a website I want to talk about because it does A LOT!

The Points of Light website caters to individual volunteers, companies that want to make a difference and to nonprofits as well.

Individuals can find volunteer opportunities, causes and programs set up for them.  

Nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities. The Points of Light Civic Accelerator
“invests in and supports seed stage social ventures that solve pressing social and environmental issues by engaging people” also. If you have an idea for a nonprofit, this is the place to be, with money, mentoring, peer support and networking for your idea.

Or, if you have a company that wants to start or expand a volunteer program, you can get help here, too, including how to do pro bono or skills-based volunteering.

The phrase “points of light” might sound familiar because it was part of President George H.W. Bush’s (the father, not the son) 1989 inaugural address. He called Americans to action with his belief that “any definition of a successful life must include serving others.”

Bush later started a daily point of light award to showcase people making a difference and then the Points of Light foundation in 1990. As it says of the website, “today Points of Light transcends politics and borders to inspire millions of volunteers worldwide.”

It also brings kids into the equation with Generation On which partners with teachers, parents and schools to get kids involved in volunteering.

So, if you’re looking to start volunteering or get your business involved in it in the new year, take a look at www.pointsoflight.org and you can get help on how to do it.

I have another site I’m itching to tell you about but I’m doing some things to try it out first, so in the meantime have a Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season. Happy Birthday, Jesus!