The Do Something Awards in Hollywood this week had all the makings of the typical pat-on-the-back awards show. Red carpet slammed with flashing bulbs? Check. Teenage girls screaming for the Jonas Brothers? Check. A bunch of celebrities vying for a shiny award for outstanding achievement? Check.

But after I had a closer look, I could see the press was asking about volunteerism. Joe Jonas was talking about the power of social change. The celebrities nominated to get the big award of the night were five inspirational people under the age of 25 who have transformed the world around them.

The Do Something Awards showed that celebrating ‘do-gooders’ doesn’t mean that everyone has to get serious and message driven. Instead somehow, in the spirit of service and empowerment, Snoop danced on stage, the crowd rocked out with glow sticks and nominees talked about Haitian hospitals, schools for girls in the slums of Nairobi and genocide education. It all came together in an easy and uplifting way.
The Do Something Awards sent the message that people who change our world for the better are the real stars. Amazing night. Can’t wait for next year!