A recent Monday was the kind of day that reminds you of the good in the world and the kind of people that Southwest Airlines hires.  We held our second annual “Volunteers of LUV” ceremony where we honored 23 of our fellow Employees for the amazing work that they do in their communities by adding their names to our wall honoring volunteers. 

These people personify the saying, “Never underestimate the power of one person to make a difference.”

Each story was more spectacular than the next.  One recipient, Sarita Zouvas, has started Isabella’s Gift, a charity to raise money to fight cancer in children after losing her own four-year-old daughter to cancer.  One of our Pilots runs an all volunteer organization, Snowball Express, that raises money and donations to take families of fallen soldiers of Iraq to Southern California for an unforgettable, all expenses paid weekend of fun.  For many of these families, it is the first time that they have met someone else who has experienced the same lose of a mother or father in the war.  Last year, 400 families traveled from across the United States to enjoy Disney, parties, and fellowship.  Other recipients have collected money or volunteers to support many other charities such as Special Olympics or Ronald McDonald House.  One gentleman takes his dog out to visit and entertain patients.

It was an inspiring hour of stories and a great honor to celebrate these heroes disguised as ordinary people.  You can see in their eyes that they didn’t do it to be recognized or honored, but just because they want to do their part to make a difference and to give back.  We are very proud of our Volunteers of LUV and hope they keep up the great work and continue to inspire the rest of us to do our part too.