Difference Makers are ‘shining examples’

The Difference Maker nominees were described by keynote speaker Janet McNece as “shining examples” of how to use one’s abilities to help others.

“Our community is better because of each of you,” McNece said in her address, during Thursday night’s inaugural Daily American Republic Difference Maker of the Year banquet.

A lot of people, McNece said, including herself, volunteer. That is not as important as being a Difference Maker, she said.

“There are people within these volunteer groups that dig deeper … they do things that impact people’s lives,” said McNece. “ … Tonight, we gather to celebrate the outstanding individuals who have given of themselves to help others.”

Each, she said, has used his or her talents to do good.

McNece outlined six traits of a Difference Maker.

“They have a different vision than most; they don’t see what the world is,” McNece said. “They see it for what it can be. They have a positive attitude.”

Difference Makers, she said, choose to be optimistic, creative, resourceful and surround themselves with others.

“They understand that strength comes in numbers,” McNece said.

Difference Makers, she said, are surrounded by family and friends, a lot of whom are also involved in their volunteer efforts.

Difference Makers see failures as lessons learned, said McNece, who learned “a long time ago” holding a bake sale at Walmart on a hot Saturday morning was not the best way to raise funds.

Difference Makers also “don’t want recognition,” McNece said. “They just do what they do” because it’s in their hearts.

To emphasize that, McNece had everyone repeat, “‘I deserve recognition for my work. I will accept this recognition. I will enjoy this experience.’

“Tonight, is about celebrating your efforts.”

McNece then shared about a few of the Difference Makers in her life, including her father.

Growing up as a preacher’s daughter, McNece said, church was a regular part of her life.

She said she heard a lot of Bible stories, including the parable of the talents.

“When I read the parable, I don’t see it as money,” McNece said. “I see that as actual talents.

“We are all given different abilities, different traits, different personalities. We all play different roles in life.”

McNece encouraged everyone to use the “talents God gave us … to impact others” and not to be like the servant who buried his talents in the ground.

The people who were nominated as Difference Makers are “shining examples of using their abilities to help others,” McNece said. “Others in our community are impacted by their efforts.”

“Tonight, in my opinion, we are surrounded by the best in our community,” McNece said. “It’s about how we use the time. We all have 24 hours in a day.

“For a Difference Maker, it’s unbelievable how much they are able to accomplish in a 24-hour period. They are fueled by compassion and desire.”

Everyone, McNece said, is inspired by others and can be an inspiration to others.

Inspiration, she said, may come from pain.

“You can use the pain to wallow in it or rise up, reach out … and overcome,” McNece said.

Everyone, she said, can make a difference with a “kind word, a sweet gesture, checking in on someone who you know is going through a difficult time … all these things truly make a difference in the lives of others.”