(Make a nomination HERE; Buy tickets to the dinner HERE.) What is an authentic patriot? According to “Authentic Patriotism: Restoring America’s Founding Ideals through Selfless Action” author Stephen Kiernan, “it is someone who sees a problem and declares that it cannot be allowed to persist in a country as great as ours.” Authentic patriots make contributions both great and small to the problems they see in their own communities. In conjunction with our “Summer at the Square” dinner on June 21 featuring Kiernan, we are honoring local authentic patriots who have quietly, steadfastly done the important work of America. Their contribution can be service to people in need, service to country, but it can also be seeing an unnoticed efficiency – a better way to do things – and taking responsibility to get it done. An authentic patriot’s contribution can be almost anything that improves our lives and strengthens our communities.

Kiernan believes that we are losing our quality of life and shared sense of purpose. And he believes that only a nationwide movement of volunteerism and civic action will reverse the nation’s course. Kiernan asserts that it is the re-engagement of the American people that will ultimately revive the strength of our country.

We are honoring these patriots as The Tallahassee Democrat announces their important initiative “Community Hands” in cooperation with United Way and VolunteerLEON to link needs in the community with people who can provide resources and hands-on work. The project will cover such projects as the United Way’s “Days of Doing” and the neighborhood initiatives spurred by the recently-received BEST (Build Engage Sustain Transform) grant.

The stories will come out periodically during the year and priority will be given to hands-on projects. For example, they hope to publish stories about a neighborhood building a playground, a church renovating a house for an elderly person, a service organization starting an after-school program or college students creating a technology center in a low-income neighborhood.

Would you like to make a nomination? Simply CLICK HERE to complete a nomination form. All stories will be shared online (anonymously if the person you nominate prefers it). Some of the stories of authentic patriots will be featured in The Tallahassee Democrat. Up to ten authentic patriots will be awarded 2 tickets to hear Stephen Kiernan on June 21 and an American flag pin as a small token of our appreciation. Learn more about authentic patriotism and Kiernan’s B1 campaign HERE.