Do Something
DoSomething.org was started back in 1993 by Andrew Shue (of Melrose Place fame) and Michael Sanchez. Their one goal was to make community service as popular, cool, and most importantly, normal as watching TV or playing sports—something so ingrained in young people that they wouldn’t think twice about helping others or volunteering. Shue approached Aaron Spelling, the executive producer of Melrose Place, and asked for 30 seconds of air-time during the show to tell the world about Do Something. Spelling agreed and Do Something was officially launched!
Do Something has always been all about social change, but back then it had multiple offices around the country and a slightly broader mission than it has now. After the success of Melrose Place ended, Do Something went through a quiet period until 2003 when Nancy Lublin, the founder of Dress for Success, came on board as the new CEO. She revitalized and transformed Do Something by closing the individual offices (the new HQ was moved to Union Square, NYC, where it still is today), moving much of the content and projects online, and refining the goals of the organization to focus on social changers 25 and under.
