Los Angeles, CA, October 10, 2014 -- On November 1, mayors from across the United States are recognizing a passionate movement celebrating individuals and organizations that are “going the extra mile” in service and volunteerism in local communities. Created in 2009 with 23 cities making the inaugural declaration, Extra Mile Day has continued to build enthusiastic momentum each year since. This year, 500 mayors from Honolulu to Boston are expected to make the unique Extra Mile Day declaration.

Mayor Nancy Vaughn of Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the supporting mayors. “Extra Mile Day is an opportunity to honor those in Greensboro and throughout the nation who are making a positive impact on our community every day. It’s also a great way to encourage others to be difference makers in their communities.”

Extra Mile Day is the vision of motivational speaker and author Shawn Anderson. First spreading the “go the extra mile” message across the U.S. in 2009, Anderson used a symbolic 4,000-mile ocean-to-ocean bike ride. On the solo ride, the non-bicyclist interviewed over 200 people who had been identified as going the extra mile in overcoming setback or who had risked everything in order to accomplish something extraordinary. After the 90-day tour, Anderson personally gave away $10,000 to those people whose stories he found especially inspiring.

“I believe life’s real heroes are the ones who unselfishly give of themselves to purposes that make life better for others,” Anderson shares. “It’s the teacher spending after school hours in preparation, the volunteer serving food to the homeless, and the neighbor mowing the lawn for a busy neighbor. Gestures big and small make a difference.”

"It’s easy to complain about what we see going on around us,” Anderson says. "The 'go the extra mile' message, though, gives people an alternative to just throwing their arms in the air and saying 'I give up.' Extra Mile Day is a small reminder of the power we each have to create positive change at any time on any day for ourselves and for others.”

For more information about Extra Mile Day and to see a list of declaring cities, visit Extra Mile America. To speak to Shawn Anderson directly, call 310-402-4826 or email [email protected].

Contact info:
Shawn Anderson
Extra Mile America
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 402-4826
[email protected]
http://extramileamerica.org