The Points of Light Foundation was created to promote volunteerism in the United States in the year 1990. G.I.F.T. is funded by a Michigan Department of Education grant and works in partnership with Communities in Schools. If is a service learning program that focuses on volunteerism.
Projects link volunteer activities with academic lessons.
The lessons can range from writing and public speaking to showing practical applications of math and science. Former President George Bush serves as the honoray chairman of the foundations' board of directors. Some of G.I.F.T.'s previous projects have included raising money to help buy an infrared imaing camera for the Tecumseh emergency services department and starting a recycling program at Patterson Learning Center. Patterson second graders are collecting books to send to Appalachia. Eighth graders studying journalism will have some articles published in The Tecumseh Herald.