Helice “Sparky” Bridges is the Founder and Creator of Difference Makers International, www.blueribbons.org, an educational organization that empowers kids and people of all ages to lead extraordinary lives one kid, one community, one nation at a time.
Sparky is the Founder and Creator of the “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ Blue Ribbon translated in 12 languages, “One-Minute 10-Step Blue Ribbon Ceremony”™ and “Standing Strong Together” ™Community Building Youth Program for teens and adults.
Sparky is the Author of “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ book, International Motivational Speaker, Life Coach, Community Transformational Expert and Advocate for Children and Personal Empowerment. She believes in making a difference together.
Difference Makers International’s programs have impacted over 30 million people worldwide, averting teen suicides, ending bullying, enhancing academic excellence, building positive relationships and making dreams come true.
In 1983, Sparky founded Difference Makers International, a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to helping children of all ages reach their highest potential. Sparky’s vision is that every child will grow up in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which they will know that who they are makes a difference.
In 1980, at the age of 38, Helice “Sparky” Bridges, co-chair of the San Diego Hunger Project, discovered people were literally starving for recognition. It was then she decided all people of every age, race, religion, nationality and economic status deserved to be appreciated, respected and loved. As a result, she created the “Who I Am Makes A Difference™” “One Minute Blue Ribbon Acknowledgement™” process and began to teach children and adults how to show their appreciation, respect and love for one another. The “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ Blue Ribbon shows people how to give love as well as receive.
Sparky ignites the human spirit and brings out the greatness of all people. She has received recognition along with former First Lady Barbara Bush, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oliver Stone and the late Norman Cousins for her work in raising the self-esteem of children and adults. Sparky has spoken alongside former Vice President Al Gore, the Dali Lama and other global leaders. She is the recipient of the prestigious 2005 Gandhi Nonviolence Award. Her “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ song has been played on ABC’s 20/20 and broadcasted on 1100 radio stations.
Sparky’s signature “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ Blue Ribbon story is how a New York City teacher ordered blue ribbons from Sparky, acknowledged every student in her class and created a Senior Class Project where each student passed on three blue ribbons to people who made a difference in their life. One student gave a blue ribbon to a junior executive who acknowledged his boss with a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. The boss went home and acknowledged his 14 year-old son with a blue ribbon and told him, “You do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!" The 14-year old son sobbed and said, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to."
This signature “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ Blue Ribbon story has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and made into a television movie, DVD, and You Tube video with over 3 million views in three months. Sparky’s “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ Blue Ribbon DVD and You Tube video was produced by Mary Robinson Reynold’s company, Heart Productions & Publishing.
Sparky’s stories such as “Let’s Paint The Town Blue, ” ™ “Indiana, The Crumpled Blue Ribbon,” ™ “Florida, Tara’s Encouragement,” ™ “California Bully Goes From F’s to A’s” ™ and “The Giving Trees” ™ embrace the human spirit of unconditional love and create Change Makers who are making a difference together to uplift our society.
Her work has been featured in Woman’s World magazine and published in Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen’s books Chicken Soup for the Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul in the Classroom – Middle School Edition, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work and The Aladdin Factor.
Her play, “The Making of A Blue Ribbon Nation” ™ has been performed in theatres. Her dream is to perform “The Legacy of the Who I Am Makes A Difference™ Blue Ribbon” play on Broadway by her 76th birthday.
Sparky’s dream is by 2020, every single person in this world will be honored with a Who I Am Makes A Difference ™ blue ribbon and that no one is left out, left behind or forgotten. She is starting this dream by Ribbon-A-Thons across the nation in 2008 and 2009 starting in San Diego on November 9, 2008.
Sparky’s favorite quote is by Gandhi,“We must become the change we want to see in the world.”
Sparky is currently filming a movie, “The Legacy of the Who I Am Makes A Difference ™ Blue Ribbon,” which embraces the dream she had as a little girl that she would make this a more loving world and make dreams come true through the vehicle of a simple blue ribbon that says “Who I Am Makes A Difference.” ™
Sparky has dedicated her life as an advocate for children and to finding ways for all people to feel appreciated, respected and loved so they will know that who they are makes a difference through the “Who I Am Makes A Difference” ™ blue ribbon.
