There were two awards ceremonies taking place in Dallas last week. They were similar in many ways. People wore their finest and hobnobbed with the somebodies. In both cases, a celebrity MC kept everyone entertained while the honorees made their way to the podium. However, the difference between the AFI and the AFP awards (other than the obvious P and I at the end of the acronym) could be found in the speeches that were given.

Unlike the American Film Institute (AFI), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) granted awards to individuals not based on their personal achievements, but rather their contributions to such causes as AIDS, Adoption, Poverty, and Education. Instead of the usual acknowledgements to agents, fans, and family members, the honorees, without exception, thanked God as well as the other volunteers who sacrificed time and money for the sake of making the world a little more humane.

Although Christians, Jews and Muslims were all present, each acknowledged their Maker and charged everyone in the room to tithe and be thoughtful with their giving. It’s hard for me to imagine a more significant honor than to be recognized for contributions made to worldly needs.

From a teenager who developed a campaign offering hope and help to children in Afghanistan, to the billionaire co-founder of Home Deport who gave millions to funding services to children with developmental disabilities, to the philanthropic couple who contributed countless hours and significant financial support to the cause of Adoption, to a group of Chicago youth who raised over $500,000 to the AIDS epidemic in Africa, each encouraged those in attendance that making a difference is possible regardless of age or means. In each instance their actions inspire the soul of mankind.

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.