What do the names on this list have in common?
· Edward Kennedy
· Michelle Obama
· Biz Stone and Evan Williams (The Twitter Guys)
· Brad Pitt
· M.I.A.
· Rush Limbaugh
· John Legend
· Zac Efron
· The Ladies from The View
· Tiger Woods
· Sarah Palin
· Jon Favreau (President Obama’s head speechwriter)
Besides the obvious fame and fortune, and perhaps notoriety for some, these public figures represent a sampling of Time Magazine’s over 100 Most Influential People of 2009. Let’s face it, the names on this list are a bit intimidating. What’s more, they were nominated by names equally as daunting in their celebrity status. Names like Ashton Kutcher, Oprah Winfrey, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Many of these people do indeed have a daily effect on the lives of each one of us, so I don’t want to offend or in any way imply that the people on this list are not influential. However, the word “influence” has many meanings and everyday Americans like you and I have a different perspective on who or what is influential within our community. Which brings me to my long-awaited (sarcasm implied) blog topic…truly influential, if seemingly ordinary, people within our community.
My first Victim of Praise is a young man whose life is defined by passion. Most people simply want to survive this world, but very few are intent on changing it. Charlie Jenkins is not one of those whose life is marked by survival but one whose heart, mind, and soul are focused, driven, hell-bent on making it better for as many of the “survivors” as possible.
Founder of StandUpEight Clothing Company, Charlie hopes to cast a large net of support in the crusade against Malaria in remote parts of Africa. Charlie’s non-profit organization will send a malaria net to Africa with each purchase from his informative and easy to navigate website, www.StandUpEightClothing.com. As a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of San Gorgonio Pass and the future Vice President of his local Rotary Club, Charlie hopes that by networking with other influential people within his community he can spread word of his efforts to decrease unnecessary tragedy. Not bad for a man who just celebrated his 25th birthday.
Charlie recently told me, “Adrienne, if you know anyone who wants to pay me to just go around doing good, let me know.” He’d love the opportunity to spend Bill Gates money on charitable organizations and causes throughout the world. The best part: there’s no ulterior motive, no get-rich scheme, no selfish impulse driving this passion. He is simply a man within our community that wants to see positive change. Don’t we all?
Life isn’t always that easy, however. We can’t simply go around “doing good” all day long. We have to work, take care of our families, pay bills, and make sure there’s food in the fridge. Everyday life consumes us and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just…life. One way we can make a difference, one way we can help, is through our support and acknowledgment of people like Charlie. His ultimate goal may not be to inspire others, but it is an unavoidable part of being a passionate individual. He has given each one of us the opportunity to do good and the world is a better place because he is in it. We may not ever see Michelle Obama or Tiger Woods walking down the street or coaching a children’s soccer team at the local park but we can find many inspiring and influential people within our community if we look hard enough.
For more information on how to support the crusade against malaria and other causes that Charlie Jenkins is passionate about, please visit:
· StandUpEightClothing.com
· Offthebouncesoccer.com
· Edward Kennedy
· Michelle Obama
· Biz Stone and Evan Williams (The Twitter Guys)
· Brad Pitt
· M.I.A.
· Rush Limbaugh
· John Legend
· Zac Efron
· The Ladies from The View
· Tiger Woods
· Sarah Palin
· Jon Favreau (President Obama’s head speechwriter)
Besides the obvious fame and fortune, and perhaps notoriety for some, these public figures represent a sampling of Time Magazine’s over 100 Most Influential People of 2009. Let’s face it, the names on this list are a bit intimidating. What’s more, they were nominated by names equally as daunting in their celebrity status. Names like Ashton Kutcher, Oprah Winfrey, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Many of these people do indeed have a daily effect on the lives of each one of us, so I don’t want to offend or in any way imply that the people on this list are not influential. However, the word “influence” has many meanings and everyday Americans like you and I have a different perspective on who or what is influential within our community. Which brings me to my long-awaited (sarcasm implied) blog topic…truly influential, if seemingly ordinary, people within our community.
My first Victim of Praise is a young man whose life is defined by passion. Most people simply want to survive this world, but very few are intent on changing it. Charlie Jenkins is not one of those whose life is marked by survival but one whose heart, mind, and soul are focused, driven, hell-bent on making it better for as many of the “survivors” as possible.
Founder of StandUpEight Clothing Company, Charlie hopes to cast a large net of support in the crusade against Malaria in remote parts of Africa. Charlie’s non-profit organization will send a malaria net to Africa with each purchase from his informative and easy to navigate website, www.StandUpEightClothing.com. As a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of San Gorgonio Pass and the future Vice President of his local Rotary Club, Charlie hopes that by networking with other influential people within his community he can spread word of his efforts to decrease unnecessary tragedy. Not bad for a man who just celebrated his 25th birthday.
Charlie recently told me, “Adrienne, if you know anyone who wants to pay me to just go around doing good, let me know.” He’d love the opportunity to spend Bill Gates money on charitable organizations and causes throughout the world. The best part: there’s no ulterior motive, no get-rich scheme, no selfish impulse driving this passion. He is simply a man within our community that wants to see positive change. Don’t we all?
Life isn’t always that easy, however. We can’t simply go around “doing good” all day long. We have to work, take care of our families, pay bills, and make sure there’s food in the fridge. Everyday life consumes us and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just…life. One way we can make a difference, one way we can help, is through our support and acknowledgment of people like Charlie. His ultimate goal may not be to inspire others, but it is an unavoidable part of being a passionate individual. He has given each one of us the opportunity to do good and the world is a better place because he is in it. We may not ever see Michelle Obama or Tiger Woods walking down the street or coaching a children’s soccer team at the local park but we can find many inspiring and influential people within our community if we look hard enough.
For more information on how to support the crusade against malaria and other causes that Charlie Jenkins is passionate about, please visit:
· StandUpEightClothing.com
· Offthebouncesoccer.com
-Age
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