Montana Holds Statewide Day of Service on Oct. 24 as 'Two Lights Montana' Initiative Reaches Its Culmination
Montana marked a statewide day of service, Montana Makes a Difference Day, on Saturday, Oct. 24. The day is the culmination of Two Lights Montana, an initiative Gov. Greg Gianforte launched in May with the Montana 250 Commission and ServeMontana to encourage a year of learning, civic participation and community service during the semiquincentennial of the United States. Residents were asked to dedicate time on Oct. 24 to a community service organization, volunteering at a local food bank, church or other organization.
The initiative takes its name from Paul Revere's ride and the two-lights signal from Boston's Old North Church in 1775, and is built on three pillars: Learn, Engage and Serve. It encourages Montanans to explore foundational American texts and landmarks such as the Montana Heritage Center, take part in local government by attending public meetings, and serve their communities through volunteer work. "Paul Revere's lanterns were a signal to act," Gianforte said at the launch. "Let our 'Two Lights Montana' initiative be a signal to the rest of the nation that Montana still knows what it means to be an American in the 21st century."
Chris Averill, chair of the Montana 250 Commission, said the initiative is designed to draw people closer to their history, their community and one another. Sarah Sadowski, director of ServeMontana, noted that the linked America Gives 250 effort is one of the largest volunteer efforts in history, and pointed residents to local United Way websites and volunteer platforms to find an opportunity that fits their skills.
Participants were encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #TwoLightsMT, which the Montana 250 Commission is monitoring to highlight stories from across the state. "To all Montanans: Let's ride together into this 250th anniversary, not as spectators, but as the authors of America's next great chapter," the governor said.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Helena 的蒙大拿州议会大厦（资料图）。来源：Martin Kraft，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / File photo: The Montana State Capitol in Helena. Source: Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
