Do you have the Heart to Serve? Inquiring Minds Want to Know
Hear what surgeon and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has to say about his new book, Heart to Serve, and his advice on how every person can give back.
Q. Why does a successful heart surgeon become a politician and author? A. I have had an attraction to public policy and politics throughout my life.
It started with my family¹s commitment to service, but expanded when I was the only premed student studying public policy at Princeton. I had lived with a thought in the back of my mind that I wanted to spend some part of my life doing some kind of public service.
Q. What do you think inspires people to serve and to make a difference? A. Service at its core, is about helping others. Whether it be helping a family member in need or ministering to the sick in foreign countries on trips of mercy, people are compelled to help those around them. One person can make a powerful difference in the lives of many, and the ability to see the impact is incredibly fulfilling.
Q. You’re currently focused on SCORE, an effort to improve education in Tennessee. Tell us more. A. Tennessee SCORE is a citizen-led effort to improve Tennessee¹s public education system. Over the past year, SCORE has been led by a 25-member steering committee of education, political and business leaders. SCORE has gathered input from all the state's key education stakeholders by holding 72 town hall meetings across the state, hosting eight state-wide meetings with education reformers from across the country and conducting hundreds of one-on-one interviews. In late October, SCORE released a final report, which lays out detailed plan to make Tennessee¹s schools number one in the Southeast within five years.
Q. In your new book, A Heart to Serve: The Passion to Bring Health, Hope, and Healing you talk about your experience with many nonprofit efforts. Are Americans measuring up when it comes to showing care and compassion? A. Absolutely. There is an incredible amount of work done every day to help improve the lives of those who are less fortunate. The timing of this question comes when I have traveled to Haiti with Samaritan’s Purse, which is an international relief organization started by Franklin Graham. We are providing on the ground medical support for those who are in need after the devastating earthquake. We are helping thousands of people who need basic care, and there are many relief organizations doing the same. Haiti is just the most public and recent example of the good work these organizations do day in and day out for those in need. It is times like these where I see that health truly is a currency for peace, and that is so important during tragedies like the one Haiti has experienced at the beginning of 2010.
HOPE FOR HAITI... TEACHABLE MOMENTS FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN
We’ve launched a project so your kids can show their compassion for affected families. Simply send handmade cards and letters to Volunteer USA Foundation…pictures inspired by the heart “are worth a thousand words.” We'll make sure we get your thoughtful messages get to the people of Haiti through outreach at hospitals, shelters, children and family organizations, schools and non-profit groups.
We’ll also be offering elementary schools a free lesson plan to help teach students that while disasters do occur, families and communities can do their best to prepare and recover. The example in Haiti is a reminder that we must educate our children about the value of disaster planning, so our families are as safe and secure as possible. You can find more information about our disaster recovery efforts at National Disaster Recovery Fund.
Please send cards of hope and compassion to:
Volunteer USA Foundation – Cards of Care for Haiti, 5970 SW 1st Lane, Ocala, FL 34474 LAURA CALDERON'S TEARS OF JOY... STILL CELEBRATING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Laura Calderon still gets teary-eyes when she recalls what happened a decade ago – standing before a crowd of hundreds in South Florida trying to tell her personal story.
Her English was broken and her emotions in overdrive as she spoke to the people and business leaders supporting the family literacy academy that helped her family achieve a better life.
“After my family moved here from Mexico, we all had to work in the fields,” said Laura. “As teenagers, my sisters and I had to quit school. My parents were very upset about this although I didn’t understand why—at least not until my own child was born.”
Since then, Laura’s come a long way – earning a GED, attending college and now teaching in the same classrooms where she got her second chance. Laura and her husband, Armando, continue to learn as a family with their elementary school-aged daughter, Deanna, and three-year old son, Diego. So, life is good for the Calderon’s. They, and thousands of others, are the reason Jeb Bush and his family host the annual Celebration of Reading on February 12th. The event raises funds to support family literacy programs. Happy 10th Anniversary to Laura and the Family Literacy Initiative!
INVESTING IN FINANCIALLY-SAVVY FAMILIES... OUR 2010 RESOLUTION
How do you get kids to appreciate the value of money…the answer is priceless! Now more than ever is the time to make sure the “next generation” has some money know-how for today and in their future. Volunteer USA, in partnership with SunTrust Foundation and Scholastic, have put together an engaging pilot program for elementary students and their parents to help families learn how to manage money together. Here are a few fun money saving strategies you can practice with your kids:
• Think about "found" money; use reusable items like plastic sandwich containers for your kids' lunch instead of plastic bags
• When budgeting for your household track how you spend money each day and encourage your child to do the same with their spending money
• Use bleach or vinegar to clean everything instead of pricey cleaners
To learn more about the “Financial Education for Families” program email us at info@volunteerusafund.org or call 352-237-6685. Our website will soon provide access to free financial education materials to help families. Teachers will also be able to download lesson plans and ideas for the classroom.
GEORGIA'S MILLIONTH CHILD: HOW GEORGIA IS WORKING TO BE SURE THE MILLIONTH CHILD AND MANY MORE BECOME AMAZING READERS
The State of Georgia is celebrating serving their millionth child in Pre-K this year. In celebration, Volunteer USA will partner with Bright from the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to provide 50,000 families in Georgia with training on how 4-year olds can become awesome readers and learners. Here are a few tips to get parents started:
• Turn on the TV closed-caption option so your child sees the written words on the screen
• Use finger paints in the bath and practice making letters
• Read poetry, such as Dr. Seuss, until your child can guess the end word in a rhyme
• For fun, speak in an imaginary "B" (or "C","D" etc) language where every word you or your child says starts with that sound
• Encourage children to write their own name in all their books
THE BEST VALENTINE'S GIFTS EVER... BOOKS & CHOCOLATES! IDEAS TO SWEETEN THE DAY FOR LOVED ONES AND VOLUNTEER USA
What a sweet treat from Barnes & Noble! Just visit any Barnes & Noble store from February 5- 12th and the bookseller will donate a percentage of your purchase to Volunteer USA! Click here to get a copy of your special B&N voucher to benefit family literacy. Plus the Barnes & Noble Celebration Shop will be open for business at the February 12 Celebration of Reading event, offering you the best titles from our celebrity guest authors.
And, Olde Naples Chocolates is generously donating 20% of their chocolate sales to support family literacy. Thank Olde Naples Chocolates for showing a little love to our families! Click on the link below to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the love of literacy in the sweetest way ever! Visit Olde Naples Chocolate website(*Just type in the code “VOLUSA” at checkout; bon appétit!)
Volunteer USA inspires the spirit of volunteerism to make our communities stronger. We empower families, nonprofits, and schools through innovative and easy-to-implement programs and products. Founded in 2007, Volunteer USA is a nonprofit organization that transforms the power of goodwill into brighter lives and futures. A 501(c)(3) organization.
We’ve launched a project so your kids can show their compassion for affected families. Simply send handmade cards and letters to Volunteer USA Foundation…pictures inspired by the heart “are worth a thousand words.” We'll make sure we get your thoughtful messages get to the people of Haiti through outreach at hospitals, shelters, children and family organizations, schools and non-profit groups. 
