Organization
Blue Ribbons Worldwide
TL;DR
The organization behind the blue ribbon in our film, with a one-minute honoring ceremony, school programs, and a mission to reach one billion people.
Blue Ribbons Worldwide is the home of the "Who I Am Makes A Difference" Blue Ribbon Ceremony, a one-minute way to tell someone exactly how they matter, place a ribbon above their heart, and hand them two more to pass on. Founded by Helice "Grandma Sparky" Bridges, the organization runs school programs from elementary through high school that teach kids to honor each other in 60 seconds or less.
The mission our film follows is to get one billion people honored.
Why OGSP Recommends It
This is the movement our film is exploring, and the fastest way to act on it. The site will put real ribbons in your hands, and the ceremony takes a minute to learn.
Featured In
Related Resources
Ways To Get Involved
Request free ribbons, order ribbons for your school or workplace, send a virtual ribbon, or donate. Details at blueribbons.org.
Key Takeaways
- The ceremony is a repeatable formula, say how someone makes a difference, place the ribbon above their heart, hand them two more to pass on.
- School programs teach kids to honor each other in 60 seconds or less.
- The goal Sparky states in our film is one billion people honored.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the blue ribbon ceremony?
The blue ribbon ceremony, created by Helice "Grandma Sparky" Bridges, is a short affirmation in which a ribbon reading "Who I Am Makes a Difference" is pinned above someone's heart while they are told specifically how they matter. The One Good Story Project film about Grandma Sparky shows the ceremony and the movement it started.
What is the blue ribbon that says “Who I Am Makes a Difference”?
It is a blue ribbon used in a short acknowledgment ceremony created by Helice "Grandma Sparky" Bridges. You place it over someone's heart while telling them exactly how they make a difference, then give them two more to pass on. Her nonprofit, Blue Ribbons Worldwide, has spread the ceremony for decades.
Who is Grandma Sparky?
Grandma Sparky is Helice Bridges, an 83-year-old woman from Carlsbad, California, who created the "Who I Am Makes a Difference" ribbon. She started it after surviving an abusive marriage and nearly ending her own life at 37.
How do you do the blue ribbon ceremony?
It takes about a minute. You tell the person exactly how they make a difference and place the ribbon above their heart. Then you hand them two more ribbons to give to people who matter to them.