4,500+ Employees Inspire Others Through Service

What inspires you to get up every morning?

For me, it’s the opportunity to positively affect someone’s life. There are millions of good uses for our time, but knowing that I can make a difference in a child’s life keeps me motivated.

Each week, the kids I mentor through Aspire Mentoring Academy and the Southport United Methodist Church bring me joy and laughter. They also sometimes bring me tears and frustration, but hope is always nearby. What they need from me changes every day. I am an ear when they need to talk, a shoulder when they need to cry, a support system to provide direction and encouragement, or a willing collaborator in their practical jokes – a personal favorite of mine. To me, mentoring is about being there for a child, no matter what they need. And my hope is that by providing my support, I am also showing them how they can help other people.

The next generation of volunteers depends on us to lead the way. By telling our stories of volunteerism, we can inspire those around us – and especially the young people in our lives - to make a difference. Whether it’s mentoring a child, stuffing backpacks for a family that doesn’t have enough food or cleaning up a local park, there are countless ways to encourage others to support their communities.

Today, I am honored and humbled to be among 4,511 of my colleagues who are receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This award recognizes those who inspire others with their commitment to their communities. You can read more about the award and the winners here.

All of us at AT&T have a great story to tell about the work we do outside of the office. I am happy to share mine and encourage others to do the same. Who knows who we might inspire next?