"Hands Across America" Turned our eyes inward

As compassion flowed, our eyes turned inward and saw a problem at home that was too long ignored.

It was a powerful sight to behold. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, over mountains, rivers and through deserts seven million Americans holding hands over 4,124 miles across America bringing attention to the plight of the nation's hungry and homeless. People of all races, religions and political persuasions… of all sizes and abilities, on one day, at one moment, captured the world's imagination by simply standing together, thousands of miles long, and saying we must care. There were new babies and people over 100 years old, prison inmates, the physically challenged and the physically gifted. And most importantly on that historic day -- May 25, 1986 -- included in that number were the very people for whom the public demonstration was designed to help the hungry and homeless.

USA for Africa launched Hands Across America (HANDS) in October, 1985. Considered the largest community participation effort in our nation's history, HANDS was just impossible enough to be possible.

The dream quickly erupted into an unparalleled show of heartfelt concern. The event brought together millions of people to generate a national consensus that hunger and homelessness existed and that we must answer the call to help shelter and feed those in need. It was an impassioned outpouring in tandem with America's response to the famine in Africa in 1985.

Coca-Cola USA became the founding sponsor of Hands Across America in October, 1985. Ultimately some 700 companies joined the movement and several thousand celebrities took the HANDS message across the nation.

Over 100 national organizations helped get the word out and urged their local affiliates to participate. National and local news organizations launched public service and community programs. Religious leaders preached the word while government and political leaders sought initiatives to resolve the tragedy of homelessness and hunger.

Students from kindergarten through college initiated projects to tackle the problem in their neighborhoods, and raise money and awareness. For many young people, both "We Are The World" and Hands Across America provided their first involvement with social issues.

Hands Across America and the millions who made it a reality, played a vital role in creating public awareness of hunger and homelessness which spawned a groundswell of mass public support for its resolution. Maybe most importantly, people continued to stay involved. A Gallup Poll, taken a year after Hands Across America, showed volunteer activities continuing to increase in the U.S.

Unfortunately, the struggle to feed and house the poor that these dedicated millions dared to confront continues to this day.

Moments in History: Hands Across America