More than 25 years ago, President George H.W. Bush gave voice and direction to a movement that has steadily grown ever since – changing countless lives, and building stronger, more resilient communities across this country and around the world. He inspired individuals to take voluntary action in their communities as points of light “spread throughout the nation, doing good.”
His famous “thousand points of light” speech renewed our spirit of volunteerism and galvanized the modern national service movement. His words and example, his legacy of service will endure. They resonate today and will continue to inspire tomorrow, and for generations to come.
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush created the Daily Point of Light Award for individuals making a difference. From the White House, he formally recognized more than 1,000 volunteers as “points of light,” highlighting the volunteer movement that became a defining mission of the Bush administration.
Points of Light reinstated the Daily Point of Light Award in 1998, with a mission to honor those who take action to create change in their communities, and in 2014 the award program expanded to the United Kingdom. To date, more than 6,000 awards have been given to individuals who represent the heart and soul of our country and, through them, the legacy of President Bush lives on.
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Read the statement from Natalye Paquin, President and CEO of Points of Light, on the legacy of President Bush.
