Change Notes: Service Brings a Kinder, Gentler Vibe to D.C.

Friends, 

It's not often you see famed international musician YOSHIKI, in the dark glasses, mingling with NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. Or see former Vice President Dan Quayle and former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn sharing a smile. It's probably not a surprise to know that the Today Show's Al Roker, along with wife Deborah Roberts of 20/20, can work a room.

Which all goes to show that in time of great divisiveness, volunteer service brings people together.

The Points of Light Tribute awards gala brought more than 250 people together at the home of the Ambassador of Japan in Washington, D.C. As the  Washington Post wrote, "After two weeks of partisan swagger in Tampa and Charlotte, Washington harked back two decades Friday to the kinder, gentler vibe of George H. W. Bush," whose call to service inspired Points of Light.

The event honored several who have gone above and beyond – UPS for donating more than one million volunteer hours, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter for her Red Cross work, Wes Moore for helping veterans, and Aya Higa and Naho Hozumi, both of Hands On Tokyo, for tsunami disaster relief.

Celebrity guests included Olympic Gold medalist ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi, two-time U.S. Olympian ice hockey player Bret Hedican, NBA legend and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo, international musician and producer YOSHIKI, and TV producer Ann Lopez, co- founder of the Lopez Foundation and Points of Light Service Ambassador.

You still have time to join our online auction and bid on items including golf with Mutombo, a signed book collection donated by President George H. W. Bush or a VIP experience at a Linkin Park concert. The auction will be open until Friday, Sept. 21.

In service,  

Michelle Nunn

CEO, Points of Light