It’s not often that people can say they are inspired by their Coworkers. Many times, people are lucky to remember their Coworkers’ names, much less their passions, hobbies, families or, for that matter, anything they do outside of the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Who are these people that we spend our days with? What makes their hearts beat?

For the past few years, Southwest has awarded a select group of Employees the Volunteers of LUV Award. Nominations are submitted by Employees. As a member of the selection committee, it was my privilege to view the more than 200 nominations submitted by my Coworkers across the country. While I was inspired by the Spirit of giving in the people with whom I spend my days, I was equally inspired by the words our Employees shared about their Coworkers, who are their friends.

The Volunteers of LUV Award Ceremony was held here at Southwest Headquarters in Dallas and it was hard to find a dry eye in the house.  Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you for sharing your Servant’s Heart in the communities in which we live.

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to learn something new about your Coworkers. After all, we’re all in this life together. Maybe there is an opportunity for you all to volunteer in your community together for a cause that is close to your hearts.

Take a look at the list of Volunteers of LUV winners below and the organizations that benefit from their generosity:

Accounts Payable Stewpot Hotties – Dallas
The Stew Pot
Ange Mertens – Houston
No Unknown Soldier, Winter Ball, Walter Reed Hospital
Cathy Wescott – Las Vegas
Down Syndrome Organization of Las Vegas, Care 4 Kids Foundation, Las Vegas Mission Rescue
Christal Campbell – Phoenix
Ronald McDonald House, MLK School, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Stenner Burn Prevention Foundation, Camp Courage
Coetta Smith – San Antonio
Prepares and delivers meals to Seniors
Eldon Slaughter – Houston
Hurricane Ike Disaster Relief
Elidia Cortez Wharton – Dallas 
Ronald McDonald House
Gary Hooyman – Dallas 
Adopt-A-Pilot, Aviation Council Advisory Board, Youth for Kids
Glo Schaffer – Dallas
Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, Genesis Women's Shelter
Jadira Simmons – Phoenix
UMOMS, JB Sutton School, Adopt-A-Family, Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots
Jeannie Wolf – Oklahoma City
Ronald McDonald House, Rebuilding Together, Positive Tomorrow's, Oklahoma City Children's Hospital, The Memorial Marathon
Jennifer Jauregui-Burklow – Burbank
USO
Jessica Parker – Houston
Camp HOPE, Houston Animal Shelter, AIDS Walk of Houston, MS150
Jim Wilhelmsen – Phoenix
Boy Scouts of America, Youth Council
Kari Anderson – Baltimore 
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Katie Coldwell – Dallas
Dry Bones, Mission work in Africa and Mexico
Kevin Golding – Nashville
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Nashville Rescue Mission, Samaritan's Purse
Linda Vickers – Orlando
Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Give Kids the World, Tampa Veterans' Hospital
Maria Adair – San Antonio
Mended Little Hearts - Founded Texas Chapter
Melissa McKenty – Dallas
Empower Zambia, Family Legacy Missions, Angel Tree, Union Gospel Mission, C-Kids
Pat Rodriguez – Dallas
Dallas Humane Society's Dog and Kitty City, Companion Animal Network, PAWS in the City
Patrick Ware – Dallas
R.A.C.E.S., A.R.E.S., City of Coppell and Dallas County Office of Emergency Management
Peg Cass – Tucson
Ronald McDonald House, Southwest Collie Rescue, Arizona Sheltie Rescue
Richard Eick – Dallas
The Hearing School of the Southwest
Steve Vaught – Phoenix
Adopt-A-Pilot, EAA Young Eagles, Fearless Flight, Ronald McDonald House
Tim Neumann – Phoenix
Arizona Adopt-A-Highway Program, Adopt-A-Pilot

Be sure and listen to the recipients tell their own story on this video.