Remember, it's the little things that matter in life.

As an entertaining reminder, watch Game Plan Academy's first edited football footage video here:

 www.youtube.com/watch

"Great job. Way to hustle, stay focused. It's the little things that are going to change our games -- it's the little things," shares Alex Van Dyke with the GPA students. This is what GPA is all about; mentorship in action--sharing the 'little things' and those perceptive 'tricks-of-the-trade' that will help students succeed in the classroom, on the playing field, and, ultimately, in the game of life.

With wise, warm words of encouragement flowing at Game Plan Academy (GPA), bonding between mentors and students has grown strong. Everyone in the GPA program has formed new friendships, strengthened existing relationships, and reflected on the importance that these interactions play in their lives. No one, from Tiger Woods to Lebron James to President Obama, achieves success without strong, continual support from a community of people. We all have our "Personal Board of Directors" comprised of our role-models, mentors, family members, friends, and fans -- never take these people for granted -- and without these support systems in place, each of us would surely be in different, less successful places. Thankfully, through positive, structured programs like Game Plan Academy, community members band together to help each other out, building more robust support networks for all members of their community along the way. When you need support, your "Personal Board of Directors" will be there for you, through 'thick and thin', to help you persevere and surmount challenges and obstacles. Through our intensive mentorship intervention at Game Plan Academy, we hope that students expand their "Personal Boards" and utilize GPA as a springboard for unleashing their tremendous talents and abilities to accomplish great feats as leaders in this world.

In fact, GPA students will operationalize their leadership skills this Saturday, April 25th, by volunteering as a group at the Sacramento Food Bank (SFB is a tremendous organization): this is the full-circle of 'people helping people' in action. Today, I attended the Sacramento Community Services Planning Council's 'People Helping People Awards' at the Radisson Hotel. Mayor Kevin Johnson spoke about his vision to make Sacramento the top volunteer involvement city in the state of California through efforts like Hands On Sacramento. Game Plan Academy is one civic-minded project that reflects Sacramento's strong culture for volunteerism, social innovation, and community service. Students who graduate from GPA know how to be 'people helpers' for others in their local communities throughout their lives--a gift that keeps on giving.

As always, I invite community members to join us this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Sacramento Food Bank (3333 3rd Avenue) to lend a hand for those in need. We also love to see community members out each Sunday at Hiram Johnson High School from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, watching our excellent student-athletes in action.

Cheers to all 'people helping people' efforts throughout Sacramento; let's keep building a community that serves.

I am a proud Sacramentan.