"Who I Am Makes A Difference™ - Blue Ribbon"

The CHRC is excited about adding a powerful new message to our annual “TAKE MY HAND, CORONADO:  a Weeklong Celebration of Peace in Human Relationships”.  It is called the “Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon" ceremony!

What is the “Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon ceremony?  Invented by Helice "Sparky" Bridges, the “Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon ceremony is an exercise in positive acknowledgement.  Please click on the ribbon to watch this short story.

It will touch your heart and perhaps change your life forever:

Helice "Sparky" Bridges

Click here to see the "Blue Ribbon" Movie

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, over 9,000 children, young adults and adults in Coronado will have received the gift of a “Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon and positive acknowledgement . . . some for the first time ever!  Over 9,000 people will have been united and touched . . . most in ways we will never know!

The general public is invited to enjoy guest speaker Helice “Sparky” Bridges, known as The First Lady of Acknowledgement and inventor of the “Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon" ceremony, at the CHRC’s tenth annual “Evening Celebration of Peace in Human Relationships.”  Ms. Bridges will join us on Thursday, April 1, 2010 for a Reception: 6:30 and Program: 7:00-8:30 in the Nautilus Room of the Coronado Community Center to celebrate Coronado’s first involvement with the "Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon".

Affectionately known as “Sparky”, Ms. Bridges is a dynamic and powerful keynote speaker, trainer, coach and entertainer.  She is the Founder and Chair of the Board of Difference Makers International, a nonprofit educational organization.  Difference Makers International’s vision is that all people feel appreciated, respected, loved, are valued for their unique talents and empowered to reach their true potential.

Ms. Bridges is the inventor of the world famous “Who I Am Makes A Difference”™ Blue Ribbon Ceremony.  She is the recipient of the TKF 2005 Gandhi Nonviolence Award and the 2009 Speak for Success Women Changing the World award.  Her acknowledgement work has touched over 30 million people worldwide and has been translated into 12 languages.  She has received recognition along with Former First Lady Barbara Bush and Kareem Abdul Jabaar for raising the self-esteem of children of all ages.  She has spoken on the same stages as Vice President Al Gore and The Dali Lama at the Environmental Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

“We are joyful and grateful that our fundraising efforts have touched the hearts of so many individuals and organizations in our community,” says Deborah Schwartz, Chairwoman of the Coronado Human Relations Commission.  “Accordingly, we are able to move forward with the exciting and promising ‘Blue Ribbon’ ceremony during the “Take My Hand, Coronado!” week of March 29, 2010.  With the purchase of over 9,000 “Who I Am Makes A Difference”™ Blue Ribbons, over 9,000 youth and adults in our community will be honored for their character and contributions!”

“Without the benevolent support of so many, we would be unable to join the numerous communities across the globe – from California to Rhode Island, from Canada to the Bahamas – ‘going blue’ during the week of March 29th- April 1.    It is with heartfelt gratitude that our supporters, citizens and guests, young and old are invited to join the CHRC in also celebrating our tenth annual Peacemaker Awards.  Eight citizens will be honored for their significant contributions to peace in human relationships, and all present will be honored with a Blue Ribbon.”

Please join us on Thursday, April 1, 2010 for a Reception: 6:30 and Program: 7:00-8:30 in the Nautilus Room of the Coronado Community Center.

For more information about Difference Makers International, please go to www.differencemakersinternational.org.

“Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon" participants learn how to:

• acknowledge worth and importance of Self.

• acknowledge worth and importance of Others.

• espress emotions with dignity.

• cheer people on for their contributions and dreams.

• make a difference where they live, work and learn.

The “Who I Am Makes a Difference”™ Blue Ribbon" ceremony can:

• decrease anger, apathy and alienation.

• enhance caring, compassion and cooperation.

• increase responsibility, productivity and pride.

• improve academic achievement.

• inspire our community . . . and others.

Thank you for being a "Difference Maker!”