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Oct.26, 2013, is the 23rd 1 Make a Difference Day, the nation ’ s largest day of community 2 . On Make a Difference Day 2013, millions of volunteers will 3 to improve the lives of others in their communities. As a journalist covering 4 news, you often find yourself in people ’ s lives at some of those rare, bright moments, but more often you enter their lives at their 5 moments. I have always been struck by the 6 of Americans that emerges during those darkest times, from the tsunami that struck Indonesia to the earthquakes in Haiti to Hurricane Katrina or Sandy. I n every case, Americans will 7 their hearts and their pocketbooks. T he spirit of 8 seems to gather us together to our root humanity. Emily, my wife, 9 this every day by working with a foundation 10 to causes of poor youth and the environment. F or me, the 11 came after 9/11. I quit my job as a network TV anchorman and worked 12 the intelligence community. A decade of civil service gave me 13 of mind that I had given back what 14 I could during a time of crisis. S till, I am struck by those moments when the heart overcomes practicality. Just before last Christmas, I covered the story of an NYPD officer Larry Deprimo who found a homeless man with 15 feet at a cold night. H e ran to buy the best boots he could. H e knelt 16 and put new socks and boots on the man ’ s feet. A(n) 17 photographed the moment, and the image went online. DePrimo never 18 the story to be told. W hen I asked him how it felt, he said it was “ humbling ” . Every day, somewhere, someone gives back to others with 19 acts of kindness. B ut we shouldn ’ t wait for those 20 to find us, or expect to be prepared when they do. W e need to make them happen.