Michelle Obama Essay On The Spirit Of Giving: "We Need...To Lift Up Our Fellow Americans"

In an exclusive essay for USA Today, Michelle Obama extols the importance of giving -- especially in these trying times. She writes, "When so many people are struggling to make ends meet, we need everyone pulling together to solve our nation's problems and to lift up our fellow Americans." She also highlights the importance of fostering service and social consciousness in our youth, noting that "the current generation of young people is one of the most socially conscious and active, with 61% of 13- to 25-year-olds saying they feel personally responsible for making a difference in the world."

Her essay focuses on the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which "promotes the cause of service among young people by investing in service-learning" and which will "dramatically increase the number of full- and part-time service opportunities for college-age students."

But the best part is, she's not just talking. As we've pointed out plenty of times, Michelle Obama walks the walk -- and encourages others to do the same!

And most importantly, Michelle takes time to put a spotlight on those smaller acts of community service -- the ones that don't involve a food bank, donations, or a special occasion.

Every day we hear stories of people rising to the occasion and making a real difference: the retiree who volunteers at the local elementary school to help children learn to read; the woman down the block who watches out for her neighbor's kids after school -- providing a snack, some wisdom and a home with a light on until parents return from a long day of work; the mothers and fathers in a neighborhood who coach Little League and soccer and teach kids about good sportsmanship and perseverance and teamwork.

Read the rest of the USA Today article...

We want to put a spotlight on these stories as well, which is why we've asked you to help us! Like we said, difficult times bring communities together as people lean on one another for support. In this recession, there's no shortage of communities around the country that have rallied around a struggling neighbor, reached out a helping hand to those around them, or donated free dry cleaning to the job-seeking and unemployed. We know there are more stories like these and HuffPost wants to highlight them. If you read or hear about an act of kindness in your community, email us the story at [e-mail].

And just in case you're looking for inspiration, we've always found this slideshow particularly uplifting:

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First Lady Michelle Obama spent Tuesday at a local social services center where she read with toddlers and chatted with a group of teens.

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Comments

[Akat1973]

I love Mrs.Obama she did not grow up rich, and she has not forgotten where she came from-or what is important in life. I respect her so much for that and the fact that she is always true to herself. She seems to have a warm touch that brings joy to all those who meet her. Yes,Barack is a lucky man indeed!

[carolinecantoo]

Giving is an act of the heart. An open heart is usually attached to open hands and smiles for all. Acts of kindness are addictive so watch out, you might like it!

[rsprags]

Second that, she is a jewel. President O. is a very blessed man and you can see the joy on his face when they are together,

[newworldgirl]

Michelle Obama said, "We need...to lift up our fellow Americans." Why doesn't she try to lift up some African American fashion designers? Are they not Americans like the Asian, Hispanic, and White designers whose pockets she regularly drops money into? I am just saying!!!

[Myview2751]

How pathetic! First Lady Obama has the right to wear whom ever she chooses!
She does not owe African-American designers a DAMN Thing!
If you want her to wear some Black designers why not purchase the clothes for her! I am just saying!!!

[vandegrasse]

That's a disturbing picture of the First Lady. It looks like the kids are trying to tear her pieces, one even trying to pull her face off! Joke. Still, not a flattering picture of a pretty lady. She looks scared.

[SoccerNana]

She is reading a story to CHILDREN. Obviously, you have never done that. You have to be interactive while reading to children that age. Facial expressions will change throughout the story. Find a clue!

[rsprags]

Please soccer pit bull; where is your pig lipstick it must be on your eyes rather than your lips...

[vie2012ne]

One of the best ways to lift up your fellow man is to give generously of your financial resources to the charities of your choice. Unfortunately our leaders aren't setting a very good example in this regard. The Obamas, despite being in the top 1/2 percent of the income distribution, gave only 6% of their huge income to charity last year. This was a large increase over previous years, when their charitable giving was in the 1 - 2% range. The Bidens are much worse. Their income is much lower, but they only managed to give less than 1% over the past several years. Meanwhile many poor families in my synagogue give away 10% or more of their income to causes such as shelters for homeless women and children, drug treatment for addicts, and international food aid. I challenge our economically privileged leaders to put their own "skin in the game" like countless other Americans who earn far less but are more generous.

[luvangelHussein330]

It's a choice not a requirement. had they given 10% you still would have said that wasn't enough. Do you know what there other financial obligations were? And in previus years they didn't bring in a little over 2 million so of course thier donations would be small. I realy wish people would get off thier high horse post your tax return showing what you donated

[vie2012ne]

My point is if you are going to talk the talk, you should walk the walk.

[SoccerNana]

Families do not reveal the financial resources they give to blood relatives; I know we don't. MIchelle comes from a very large extended family with members from her mother's side residing in Chicago and members from her father's side in Chicago and South Carolina. The Prez has relatives in Kenya. Stop making comments concerning the First Family's finances. They do buy their own food, clothes, and pay for their own personal care (barbers, hairdressers, make up artists, et cetera) and their children are in private school. We do not know people's financial obligations.

[ywcachieve]

She genuinely loves her role as first lady, and it just shows.

Barack Obama hit the jackpot when he married this woman.

[ywcachieve]

I just love First Lady Michelle.

[aercolini]

Why are the Obama's so angry?

[ssfahrer]

They see White People!

[jackson1015]

Too precious....I love that our First Lady has such a loving heart and is such an approachable person. Those hugs look great :)

[2morrowKnight]

I love this woman. At this rate, she will easily join the ranks of history's most remembered and celebrated first ladies.

http://2morrowknight.blogspot.com/

[saami]

Hugs to Michelle Obama....

[PresidentRobertBooth]

I think Americans, young female urbanite Americans in particular, can greatly identity for Mrs Obama.

Much more so than Laura Bush for example. Not that she was anything less than a very pleasant person.

She seemed very friendly and personable, but Michelle Obama is much more "with it" in terms of modern society, and more in tune I think with what matters to Americans below the age of 60 who don't live on ranches.

[ywcachieve]

Laura was a passive aggressive, she is not the nice person people want to believe she is.

She does not hesitate to make unkind statements about people. She wrote nasty unkind things in her book about Hillary Clinton for instance, and she is didn't let her anger at President Obama go unheard.

All she did as first lady is stay up in the White House and smoke cigarettes and drink booze.

If anyone want to prove this, go do you research on this woman, Laura Bush.

[luvangelHussein330]

your the ones making the clamins so post the links. I'm definantly not a bush or lara fan but i hate when people post things like that and poffer no proof...as if just the word of some random commenter is good enough....links please!

[SoccerNana]

Mrs. Bush is where she wants to be at this time, out of the limelight. Please leave her alone.

[RobertHenryEller]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1188858/posts

Some hugs feel better than others.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Verena,

Thanks for a great blog. The beauty of Michelle Obama is that we finally have a First Lady who is showing us the way we all can be by putting her caring and concern for others into real action. She encourages us to reach out and help each other. And doing this is the quickest route for us all to find happiness. What a wonderful leading light she is.

May she be an inspiration to us all,
Deb