Clean the World

Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Clean the World Recycling Operations Center (downtown Orlando)

Clean the World
400A Pittman St.
Orlando, FL 32801

100 volunteers maximum

MPI has partnered with Clean the World (www.cleantheworld.org).  Clean the World is a social enterprise that recycles hotel soaps and bottled amenities discarded each day by the hospitality industry.  Clean the World partners with more than 1,050 hotels nation-wide to deliver soap and bottled amenities to children and families in the United States, Canada, Haiti and more than 40 nations in need of hygiene products.  Clean the World is committed to saving 1,000,000 lives a year by stopping the spread of acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease with the simple use of proper hygiene.  Clean the World has also diverted more than 1.1 million lbs. of waste from landfills and recycled more than 8.5 million bars of soap and bottled amenities.

“Get your hands dirty cleaning soap!”
See a part of Orlando you don’t usually see when you travel to Central Florida. Join us for a fun and fragrant soap-cleaning service event at Clean the World headquarters in downtown Orlando.

Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011
Time: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Refreshments and Entertainment provided / Media opportunities are plentiful
Shuttle and bus transportation provided

Guests will have an opportunity to help recycle and sanitize hotel soaps that have been collected from more than 1,050 hotels throughout North America. You’ll help recycle the soaps and prepare them for distribution to children and families in need in the United States, Canada, Haiti and more than 40 countries.

Please dress in comfortable light-weight attire and close-toed shoes.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cleantheworld.org/.

Press Release: Clean the World, MPI Promote Industry Sustainability Practice

Heavenly Hoofs

Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Osceola Heritage Park - Kissimmee, FL
15 volunteers maximum

Heavenly Hoofs' mission is to provide equine assisted activities to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities.  The Heavenly Hoofs Therapeutic Riding Center offers weekly group therapeutic riding lessons designed to improve a variety of skills including balance, focus, coordination, flexibility, and muscular strength with the help of specially trained horses and instructors.  The Pony Express program offers “house calls” to children with serious illnesses or disabilities who cannot come to them.  The organization does not receive any federal funds and relies primarily on corporate and individual donations. 

Volunteers can support Heavenly Hoofs by assisting with barn related project activities such as washing horses, grooming horses, cleaning stalls, and barn maintenance. Closed toe shoes are recommended.

For more information, please visit: www.heavenlyhoofs.com.

Keep America Beautiful

Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
50 volunteers maximum

The change starts with you! Most of Orlando lakes eventually drain into the Atlantic Ocean or Florida Bay. Come learn just how unique and diverse our water ways and nature is here in Florida! We invite you to be part of one of our many lake cleanup efforts coordinated by Keep Orlando Beautiful. We need volunteers to clean the shoreline of a local lake from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring a refillable water bottle and dress for a mess! We look forward to seeing you there.

Epilepsy Association of Central Florida (EACF)

Date: July 25-26
Location: Orange County Convention Center - Global Village

EACF is a not-for-profit community based organization dedicated to serving the needs of those affected by epilepsy. It is a local direct service agency where 100% of the gifts received stay to serve the citizens of Central Florida.  Services include: case management and clinical services for those that cannot afford them, epilepsy prevention and educational services, and one of the nations’ largest educators on the prevention and education of Shaken Baby Impact Syndrome. 

Volunteers  are needed to help place change of address label on educational brochures, seizure diaries and shaken baby brochures as well as bubble wrapping shaken baby DVD’s for shipping.

For additional information, please visit the following websites:
www.epilepsyassociation.com
www.aboutshakenbaby.com 

The Nature Conservancy-Oyster Restoration Project
in conjunction with The Brevard County Zoo

Date: Tuesday, July 26
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Orange County Convention Center - Global Village

The Nature Conservancy focuses on bringing the best science and latest knowledge to planners, managers, governments and communities so that they can make informed decisions about managing current and future climate change impacts.

Through our marine conservation work, we are supporting communities and implementing tangible solutions on the shore and in the water including:

The oyster restoration project’s popularity is credited to the project’s simple, tangible premise. Volunteers attach oyster shells to 18-inch mesh mats. The 4,500 mats would serve as the building blocks to restore 40 acres of intertidal oyster reefs in the Mosquito Lagoon, a part of the Indian River Lagoon where reefs have declined. When weighted down on the sandy bottom of the lagoon, the mats encourage new oysters to settle, increasing oyster growth and other wildlife that depend on the reefs. Within a year and a half of being placed on the reefs, the mats will be covered in healthy oysters. Please visit The Nature Conservancy's website for more infomation on the Oyster Restoration Project. 

OneSight

Date: July 25 - 26
Location: Orange County Convention Center - Global Village

Imagine not being able to see to learn in school, hold a job, or perform daily tasks.  Imagine not being able to see the faces of your loved ones or the world around you. These are very real challenges for millions of people around the world who do not have access to, or who cannot afford, vision care.
MPI will be partnering with OneSight to collect eyewear at WEC 2011 for recycling and donating worldwide. For more than 20 years, OneSight has been committed to providing clear vision to millions in need through the hand-delivery of primary vision care and eyewear. They also donate millions of dollars to fund research towards the prevention of optical diseases.

What kind of eyewear does OneSight need?

• Men’s prescription eyewear
• Women’s prescription eyewear
• Children’s prescription eyewear
• Non-prescription sunglasses

To date, OneSight has completed close to 200 Clinics in 37 different countries, helping more than 3 million people. Be a part of a solution and pack your used and discarded eyewear for a brighter tomorrow for someone in need. Visit the OneSight website for more information, www.onesight.org.

Canine Companions for Independence - Puppy Cuddling

Date/Time:
Saturday, July 23
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m./2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 24
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Monday, July 25
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m./3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 26
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m./3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Orange County Convention Center - Global Village

Southeast Guide Dog Society raises and trains assistance dogs for people who are facing the daily challenges of life with a physical disability or who are deaf or hard of hearing.  These highly skilled dogs allow their clients to experience a greater level of independence and an enhanced quality of life.  Puppy cuddling is a valuable socialization tool and key in training young dogs to explore the world and get acquainted with new surroundings and people.  In efforts to contribute to this training, a designated area at WEC will be set up for puppy cuddling sessions.  Southeast Guide Dog Society will bring several dogs that attendees can spend time cuddling with, petting or just stare at and smile.