CSR Press Release

ATLANTA,GA. – January 7, 2009 – President George H.W. Bush will be honored at a special White House reception on Jan. 7 at 4 p.m. for his leadership in advancing the nation’s commitment to volunteerism and service. In his 1989 inaugural address, President Bush invoked the vision of a thousand points of light—a constellation of change agents needed to make our communities and democracy work. This call to cultivate volunteerism and service as critical to our national strength led to a renewed spirit of volunteerism and civic engagement and gave birth to an independent nonprofit entity called the Points of Light Foundation.

Now named Points of Light Institute after a 2007 merger with HandsOn Network, the organization is the largest volunteer and civic engagement organization in America and is taking a lead role in the nation's increasing focus on volunteerism and civic engagement—20 years later.

• In 2007, 60.8 million volunteers performed 8.1 billion hours of service worth more than $158 billion to America's communities.

• Intensive volunteering is on the rise: The percentage of volunteers giving over 100 hours of service per year reached its highest level since 2002, with 35.6 percent of all volunteers contributing at this "intensive" level.

• Women volunteer more than men, and working mothers have the highest volunteer rate. About 29.3 percent of women volunteered in 2007, compared to 22.9 percent of men. Women with children and women who work have higher volunteer rates than other women.

The White House reception will honor President George H.W. Bush for what is widely recognized as a resurgence of the American founding ideals of civic leadership and service. President George H.W. Bush is the honorary chairman of the board of Points of Light Institute. Both President George H.W Bush along with Points of Light Institute CEO Michelle Nunn will share the organization's plans to help redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, by putting people at the center of community problem solving.

"The leadership that President George H.W. Bush has provided throughout his life and in particular over the past 20 years is grounded in his belief that service is fundamental to creating the best America. The modern national service movement began with his signing of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and has been extended by Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush," said Michelle Nunn. "We now stand at a pivotal moment to exponentially expand the service movement with President-elect Barack Obama, who is also committed to service and civic engagement. President George H.W. Bush's Inaugural call 20 years ago has never felt more timely –to turn to the only resource we have that in times of need always grows–the goodness and the courage of the American people", said Nunn.

Points of Light Institute is focused on achieving a national shared goal of increasing volunteerism to 100 million per year by 2020—up from the current national level of 61 million—and helping to equip, mobilize and inspire these volunteers to solve critical issues in education, environment and the economy. "We live in a time when both the opportunity and the urgency for civic engagement and volunteerism are at unprecedented levels, as is the call for leadership on this issue. Our current societal, political and economic context sets the stage for service as never before. We are waking up to the realization that human capital is perhaps our most dynamic and sustainable resource for solving the nation's problems," said Nunn.

The White House event marks the first of a series of upcoming events that will honor the 20 years of service achievements stemming from Bush's 1989 inaugural address and the creation of Points of Light Institute. The event will be attended by a wide range of corporate, civic and business leaders who are committed to creating opportunities for all Americans to serve. Former Senator Harris Wofford, a former Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania and an early and active supporter of President-elect Obama, will introduce President George H.W. Bush at the White House gathering, sharing stories of the bi-partisan history of service and the import of building upon the Points of Light legacy and re-imagining service in the new administration.

The second major event will be held at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in April 2009 during National Volunteer Week and will focus on honoring and sharing the stories of Daily Point of Light Award recipients–individuals of all walks of life who are making amazing contributions every day in communities throughout the nation. The event also will feature thought leaders who are taking service and volunteerism to the next level–from veterans to students who are making a difference every day in their communities.

The final event will be a gathering in Kennebunkport hosted by President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush in September 2009. Volunteer, business, foundation and corporate leaders will come together to discuss innovative solutions and opportunities to increase volunteer impact and civic participation.

About Points of Light Institute
Points of Light Institute was created by the merger of the Points of Light Foundation and HandsOn Network in August 2007. The result is a powerful, integrated national nonprofit organization with a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. The vision is that one day every person will discover their power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant democracies around the world. To realize this vision, Points of Light Institute operates three dynamic business units that share a mission to equip, mobilize and inspire people to take action that changes the world: HandsOn Network, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator.

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