(The following announcement comes from Melissa Biffert, who is organizing ServiceNation's effort to spotlight service heroes in communities across the country. Service Nation is "a national campaign to increase service opportunities and elevate service as a core ideal and problem-solving strategy in American society.")

I wanted to let you know there's still time to submit your nomination. We're about to announce some terrific new prizes, so make sure you nominate the service hero in your life to be recognized and honored for their work. You can even nominate yourself!

Click here to submit your nomination today:

http://www.servicenation.org/heroes

Since we launched this project a few weeks ago, I've had the pleasure of reading through the nominations and learning about the inspiring work of everyday heroes like Kyle and Brady Baldwin, two teenaged brothers from California who started My Own Book to read and distribute books to less fortunate children:

Three years ago, they heard on the radio that 60% of low-income children do not own a single book. Growing up surrounded by books, they thought this was a travesty and wanted to do something to make a difference. They talked with community leaders and came up with a program. They scrimped together money and asked for book donations, then they started off reading to children in classrooms, and letting the kids pick their own books from a selection of brand new books. When they saw children's joy of having a book of their very own, Kyle and Brady became hooked. They enlisted friends and started growing the program. Now hundreds of teen volunteers across the country join Kyle and Brady in reading and letting children pick a brand new book of their own... To date, over 25,000 books have been distributed.

Then there's the touching story of Alison Malmon of Washington, DC, who was moved by a personal tragedy to start an organization dedicated to mental health awareness on college campuses:

Active Minds, by the sheer strength of Alison's commitment to the issue, has grown from one chapter to 213 chapters in the span of 6 years. She inspires people every day to rethink the way that they look at mental health and mental illness. Because of Alison, countless students have become engaged in these issues on a societal problem level as opposed to just a personal struggle level.

Please take a moment to nominate the Kyle, Brady, or Alison in your life:

http://www.servicenation.org/heroes

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,

Melissa Biffert
ServiceNation

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