The former president, whose vision of volunteerism led to the Points of Light foundation, hopes to greet board members and corporate partners Tuesday in Kennebunkport<\/b>
\nKENNEBUNKPORT \u2014 Three decades after it was ridiculed and became a punchline on late-night television, former President George H. W. Bush\u2019s Points of Light concept is still going strong to the surprise of some, including President Trump.
The phrase, aimed at promoting the former president\u2019s vision of volunteerism, was transformed into Point of Light awards given to more than 6,000 individuals and the foundation Points of Light, which promotes volunteerism in 37 countries. This week, Bush, 94, hopes to greet board members and corporate partners during a three-day event that begins Tuesday in Kennebunkport.
\u201cPoints of light\u201d originated in Bush\u2019s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in 1988. He later likened volunteerism to \u201ca thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.\u201d
The media, including comedian Dana Carvey, lampooned the phrase. Bush was undeterred, repeating it in his inaugural and State of the Union addresses. He began a daily Point of Light award in 1990, and the foundation expanded the president\u2019s vision.
A decade ago, the Points of Light Foundation and HandsOn Network merged to strengthen efforts to encourage volunteerism at the corporate, nonprofit and individual levels. Today, there are more than 5 million volunteers.
The phrase never sat well with Trump, apparently.
\u201cThousand Points of Light. I never quite got that one. What the hell is that? Has anyone ever figured that one out?\u201d Trump asked a crowd this summer in Montana.
Neil Bush, son of former President George H. W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush, chose not to respond to Trump\u2019s biting remarks.
The chairman of the foundation\u2019s board, Neil Bush said he\u2019s glad his father\u2019s \u201cvision\u201d continues to grow and \u201cwill have an influence on many, many lives.\u201d
On Tuesday, the 6,341st \u201cDaily Point of Light\u201d will be presented by Neil Bush to Kathy Hecht, whose \u201cSalute of Service\u201d helps disabled veterans train their own dogs to become service animals to help themselves. If they don\u2019t have a dog, then the group will help them find one.
Hecht, of Searsport, said she was stunned by the recognition.
\u201cWe\u2019re such a small organization that was I surprised that we ended up on anyone\u2019s radar,\u201d she said, adding that \u201cto end up getting this award is just wonderful beyond words.\u201d
The group has helped more than 150 veterans over the past four years.
The Points of Light Foundation\u2019s marching orders come from Bush\u2019s words.
\u201cThe solution to each problem that confronts us begins with an individual who steps forward and says, \u2018I can help,\u2019 \u201d said Natalye Paquin, the foundation\u2019s chief executive officer.
Atlanta-based Points of Light bills itself as the world\u2019s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Much of its work focuses on working with corporations like Starbucks to encourage their employees to volunteer in local communities.
Last month, Starbucks announced a pilot program in which some employees will work 20 hours and volunteer for 20 hours each week in 13 cities.
As for the former president, Bush wrote in a letter that was later published in his 2014 book \u201cAll the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings,\u201d that some of his happiness comes from being a point of light.
\u201cI believe I was right when I said, as president, there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others,\u201d he wrote.
The daily Point of Light recipients get a certificate with Bush\u2019s signature, though Bush is no longer actively involved. He\u2019s spending this summer recovering from health problems and the loss of his wife, Barbara, who died in April. But he\u2019s still passionate about the cause.
\u201cHe\u2019s a frail, loving, thoughtful old man,\u201d Neil Bush said. \u201cHe clearly cares deeply for this mission. If you were to talk to him, he\u2019d express that.\u201d
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