Lately, many conversations often focus on ways to give back to the community. This is likely due to the economy, news of unemployment, the recent events in Haiti – among other things. Many have the eagerness to get involved and help out. Maybe this will help you get started! This year, Pepsi can help make ideas come to life. I introduce you to the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Pepsi is giving away $20+ million dollars to fund projects that help make communities better. As many already know, Pepsi opted not to advertise during the Superbowl this year. Instead, they invested significant resources to support meaningful engagements. Pepsi wants to hear what needs they can help fulfill for you and your community. Both projects large and small, such as upgrading a playground; new lights in a neighborhood; library in need of new computers… you get the idea.

Each month, you have the opportunity to submit a project in one of six categories:

Then, at the end of the month, Pepsi will post the top submissions (on their website) and let the public vote on who should win. Grant will range from $5,000 to $250,000 (totaling up to $1.3 million dollars!) Sounds fantastic, right??

Get involved beginning today, February 1. If you have an idea for an improvement you’d like to see in your community, submit it for consideration for the March round.

You can also visit RefreshEverything.com and vote for your favorite submissions for February’s grants.

There are many fun creative, unique and meaningful ways to give back and this project is an awesome idea. Kudos to Pepsi.

Check out the video on how a soda CAN and WILL make a difference:

So, what are you waitin’ for – tell Pepsi how they can make a difference for YOU and YOUR community! Get tips and more here.

I leave you with a few excerpts from Lauren Lauren Hobart, CMO of Sparking Brands at Pepsi:

Why is Pepsi Refresh Unique?
The program is unique because it puts the power in the hands of the consumer. Individuals submit their ideas and then the nation votes on the idea that moves them the most. This is done in a very ground up way. Essentially, we’ve democratized the process.

What are some exciting ideas you hope to see submitted through the PRP this year?
We’re excited to see the range of ideas that are submitted through the program. There are six different categories, and we want ideas across all of them. So far we’ve seen a fantastic response to the program. Within the first week we received over 1000 ideas, which came from every state and every age group.

Who should be involved in the submission process? If my child has an idea, should she submit it, or should I, or should her teacher help?
Young children, particularly those under 13 years old, should work with parents or teacher. Pepsi Refresh offers an amazing opportunity for a teaching moment with parents since you can get your kids to think about what impact they can have how they can make a difference. The program can get them engaged, thinking and talking about their impact on the world in a whole new way.

Disclosure: I wrote this participating in a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Miss what? A contest! Read on to find out more about this wonderful contest for schools/kids/teachers. If you have a child or know of a child/teacher involved in music/choir/etc- this should be of great interest to you and I hope you’ll pass this along to them or let your children take part.

Former American Idol finalist Danny Gokey has paired up with The Clorox Company to launch I Don’t Want to Miss…, a national campaign designed to get kids/teens/teachers involved in flu prevention. This is the 2nd year for this program. It features a contest that invites school musical groups/clubs/choirs/etc. to develop a video performance of a song written by Will Wells (a Berklee College of Music student) on what they don’t want to miss out on if they were home sick and why prevention is important. The winning school will win a music class led by Danny Gokey. In addition, for each entry submitted, The Clorox Company will donate $100 to the Sophia’s Heart Foundation (founded by Gokey in honor of his late wife, Sophia). It’s dedicated to helping children achieve academic success via musical training and restoring musical dreams in children. How awesome is that?

What a wonderful way to spread awareness and get involved in prevention. Be sure to visit the Clorox Facebook page for more about this creative and informational challenge. For a wonderful incentive, the first 100 groups to submit, the teacher will receive a wellness care package from The Clorox Company.

Check out this link: http://www2.schooltube.com/Contests/IDontWanttoMiss2010.aspx

What would your kids not want to miss out on if they were home sick with the flu?? My son said he wouldn’t want to miss out on time with his friends, band, and eating good food because of something like the flu.

Disclosure: I wrote this while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox. I received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate

Short on time so I present you “Spotted Nose on a Spotted Belly”.

I haven’t got the page for 2010 up yet but January and February are on the sidebar.

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