We Day
Key Arena in Seattle was packed with neon clad students, teachers and supporters on March 27th for the very first US We Day. They were there to celebrate a year of service and to be inspired to continue changing the world around them.
Participants can’t buy a ticket to We Day. They have to earn it through service by making a commitment to take one local and one global action throughout the year as a part of the We Act program. I heard stories of how local young people are tackling issues like bullying, world hunger, and homelessness.
Over the past five years, youth involved in We Act have:
-Raised $26 million for more than 900 local and global causes
-Volunteered 5.1 million hours for local and global causes
-Collected 2.8 million pounds of food for local food banks
The list of speakers and entertainers was insane – Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson, Martin Sheen, Martin Luther King III, and J.R. Martinez – just to name a few. Not to mention co-chair and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and players Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, John Moffitt and Russell Okung. When I didn’t think the crowd could get anymore fired up – they surprised the kids with a live performance from hometown artist Macklemore.
It was inspiring! Seeing all the youth – the leaders of tomorrow – being world changers today!
We Day is an initiative of international charity Free The Children and made possible by sponsors Microsoft and Amway.