I’ll be honest, I have long valued the role volunteers play in our community and am an avid fan of people who give so much of themselves to make the world a better place. So I am usually pretty ready to cheer on the volunteers on any given day.

But in 2020, the times are a little different. In 2020, it matters just a little more. Because in 2020, we have been dealing with a pandemic and learning all too much about the value of connection and the importance of community.

In the last few months, we have all been given the opportunity to reflect on our world and to try and figure out how to proceed. When everything around you changes, you need to step back and evaluate, what matters, what is critical and what needs to be done.

And in reflecting on volunteerism and community commitment, in the last few months, what I see every day, is people giving more. Volunteers doubling down on their commitment. Volunteers finding new ways to give, be it virtually or in safe, socially distant ways. Volunteers just wanting to help, no matter how.

And by volunteers, I mean you. You are stepping up. You are doubling down, you are finding new ways to give. You are making the world a better place.

I am humbled that I get to be one of the people saying Thank you for that, but I am only one representative of a legion of fans that are joining me today to say a most grateful and heartfelt Thank You.

Thank you for being amazing. Thank you for making a difference. And thank you that when everything in our world is changing, you haven’t. You are still here and we know we can count on you.