Fundraising Green's First Press Release!

Dateline: Long Beach, CA, 8/20/07

Schools Say No to Unhealthy Fundraisers

Fundraising Green: The cure for fundraising fatigue?

In a time when cookie dough and candy sales are some of the most profitable school fundraisers, school districts and lawmakers have taken note of the mixed messages being sent to students. In 2005 the California State Senate passed Senate Bill No. 12 Chapter 235 prohibiting the sale of soda and junk food at all elementary, middle, junior high and high schools, effective July 1, 2007. LAUSD has passed similar resolutions and is discouraging the sale of junk food as a fundraiser.

The search for viable alternatives has left parents and school representatives scratching their heads. Enter Fundraising Green, the first fundraising company focused solely on providing healthy and eco-friendly fundraisers.

This fall in Southern California Fundraising Green will introduce the myGreenSpark Redemption Book as its flagship fundraising product. Simply put, it’s a coupon book with a Green and Healthy twist.

The myGreenSpark Redemption Book will unite consumers with companies and organizations that offer green and healthy products, services and activities, promoting a wholesome and active lifestyle. Each coupon in the book, once redeemed, will provide the user with a “Green Spark” for change. Not only will this Green coupon book educate students and families about how a few small changes in their consumer habits can be a big help to the environment, but it will also lead them to healthy activities and better eating habits.

Fundraising Green was founded in early 2007 by Jennifer Caronna, a business savvy PTA mom from Long Beach, California. Jennifer, the mother of three daughters ages 6, 11 and 13 has spent the last eight years representing her children’s school PTA in such capacities as PTA President and Fundraising Coordinator. When asked why she started the company, Jennifer stated, “It was just something that I felt needed to be done. We were always searching for alternatives to the junk food fundraisers and the typical catalog fundraisers that sell over-priced plastics-based products that are made in China and packaged in Styrofoam. In every case the example we were setting for our children was either unhealthy for them or for the environment.”

Jennifer goes on to explain the logic behind her new fundraising product, the myGreenSpark Redemption Book, “By melding the popular and profitable coupon book fundraiser with a green and healthy philosophy, we distribute a product to thousands of busy families that not only educates them regarding green and healthy alternatives, but with the discount coupon in hand, we lead them to environmentally sound, conscience consumer choices. We know that if the families that purchase the book use it to make just a few simple changes towards a greener and healthier lifestyle, the positive impact on our environment and on our children will be exponential.”

Jennifer is quick to point out that “Green” isn’t just about the environment, but about fair trade and ethical labor practices, not to mention community outreach and volunteerism. She reflects, “Ethical consumers not only care about what the product is, but where it was made, how it was made, who made it and under what conditions. That’s why we’ve partnered with over 150 local businesses that feel the same about how business should be done. We gladly offer them space in the coupon book for free. Our goal is simply to create a great product that will raise money for schools while having a positive impact in our community.”

To learn more about Fundraising Green and their new fundraising philosophy, visit www.FundraisingGreen.com or email info@FundraisingGreen.com.

Who's in the Green Coupon Book

Well, we know you've been waiting to see some of the companies that will appear in the myGreenSpark Redemption Book. Here is a short list of great Green and Healthy businesses that are excited to participate in our program:


118 Degrees
http://www.shop118degrees.com/
Adventure 16
www.adventure16.com
Amy's Playground
http://www.amysindoorplayground.com/
Aquarium of the Pacific
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/
Arbor Snowboards
http://www.arborsports.com/
Avanti Café
www.cafeavanti.com
Aventouras
www.aventouras.com
Back to Natives Restoration
www.backtonatives.org
Bean Products
www.beanproducts.com
Beautiful Oceans
www.beautifuloceans.com
Beyond Touring Inc.
http://www.beyondtouring.com/
Bikerowave
www.bikerowave.org
Bikestation Long Beach
http://www.bikestation.com/
Blissful Soul
http://www.blissfulsoul.com/
Blue Velvet Salon
http://www.bluevelvethairsalon.com/
Captain Dave's Dolphin Safari
www.dolphinsafari.com
Child's Play
http://www.childsplayonline.net/
Conservatory for Coffee & Tea
www.conservatorycoffeeandtea.com
Cool Baby
http://www.coolbabyplace.com/
Eat Your Veggies
www.eatyourveggies-la.com
Eco-Me
http://www.eco-me.com/
Environmental Solar Design
http://www.environmentalsolardesign.com/
Fern's Garden
http://www.fernsgarden.com/
Fleet Feet Sports
www.fleetfeetln.com
Furnature
http://www.furnature.com/
Giggles and Wiggles
www.gigglesandwiggleslearningcenter.com
Golden Bridge Yoga
http://www.goldenbridgeyoga.com/
Green Nest
http://www.greennest.com/
Greencoast Hydroponics
www.gchydro.com
Hollywood Trading Company
http://www.htc.com/
Islands Surf Camp
http://www.isurfcamp.com/
Jones Bicycles
http://www.jonesbicycles.com/
Karuna Yoga
http://www.karunayoga.net/
Life Size at Fred Segal
http://www.lifesizekids.com/
Maggie's Functional Organics
http://www.organicclothes.com/
Newport Surf School
http://www.newportsurfschool.com/
Organic and Healthy
http://www.organicandhealthy.com/
Organic Bouquet
http://www.organicbouquet.com/
Path Design
http://www.path-design.net/
Piccolini
www.piccolinionline.com
Play It Again Sports
www.playitagainsports.com
Rawvolution
http://www.rawvolution.com/
REI
http://www.rei.com
Renew Carpet Cleaning
http://www.renewcarpetcleaning.com/
Rooibos Tea House
www.africanredtea.com
Safe Spray Cleaners
http://www.safespray.com/
Seasoned to Taste
http://www.seasonedtotaste.net/
Stroller Strides
www.strollerstrides.com
Tahoe Sands Resort
http://www.tahoesandsresort.com/
Team OC Gymnastics
www.teamocfun.com
The Children's Nature Institute
www.childrensnatureinstitute.org
The Invisible Gardener
http://www.invisiblegardener.com/
The Real Earth
www.therealearth.com
The Road Less Traveled
http://www.roadlesstraveledstore.com/
Sigg USA
http://www.mysigg.com
Tees for Change
http://www.teesforchange.com
Vegin' Out
www.veginout.com
Wagville
www.wagville.com
Willka T'ika Garden Guesthouse in Peru
www.travelperu.com
Yard Design
http://www.yarddesign.net/
Yogaworks
http://www.yogaworks.com/

Youth Environmental Leadership Initiative: “Be Cool Be Green”

Youth Environmental Leadership Initiative
“Be Cool Be Green”
Metropolitan Water District, Los Angeles, CA
August 7, 2007

Day 1

Registration: 9:30-10:00 (1st floor, Room 101, across from the door to patio)

Opening Plenary Session: 10:00-11:00 (MDW Board Room, 1st floor adjacent to the receptionist)
Our World Today & How We Each Can Make a Difference

10:00-10:10 Welcome: Russ Donelly, Manager of Educations
Programs Unit, Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California
Housekeeping: Benita Lynn Horn, Education Programs

10:10-10:20 Introduction: Sara Laimon, Green Ambassadors
Margaret Moilov, California Conservation Corps

10:20-10:35 Global Warming: Alec Loorz

10:35-11:00 Teen Environmental Advocate: Q’orianka Kilcher – Keynote Speaker


Morning Sessions: 11:10-12:15 (2nd floor, across from receptionist)

Living Green led by Green Ambassadors Sabina Ibarra & Danicka Jenson
Room 2-450 (classroom)
Don Caronna
Summer Loyda

Water Blue led by Green Ambassadors John Vlahos & April Lopez
Room 2-145 (large room)
Jessica Hall
Benita Horn
Miguel Luna & Students

Plastics Are Forever led by Green Ambassadors Amber Bianco & Kevin Somoza
Room 2-414 (classroom)
Anna Cummins
Sara Laimon

Lunch: 12:15-1:00
2nd Floor Gallery- Organic & Vegan Lunch

Afternoon Sessions: 1:10-2:15 (2nd floor, across from receptionist)

Youth Driving Change led by Green Ambassador Alex Pine
Room 2-145 (large room)
Helen Ortiz
Shea Pickelner
Alex Pine

Plan-It-Organic led by Green Ambassadors Daisy Villa & Agustin Franco
Room 2-450 (classroom)
Bridget Bueche
Stephanie Knol
Yvonne Savio

Urban Green led by Green Ambassadors Vinni Mahnke & Richard Irish
Room 2-414 (classroom)
John Hansen
Chris Pine
Joan Stevens

Break: 2.15 – 2:35
2nd Floor Gallery – Fresh Fruit/Snacks


Afternoon Plenary: 2:40- 3:30 Room 101 (1st floor, across from the door to the patio)

2:40-3:10
“Attention Grabbers To Get Your Message In There”
Carolyn Allen
President/Publisher California Green Solutions
Discussion with participants on how to be heard effectively and deciding who to communicate with.
Focus on how to leave a positive impress and be recognized.

3:10-3:30
Field Investigation Discussion & Team Meetings
Green Ambassadors and Mentors

3:30 Dismissal

Day 2
“Be Cool, Be Green”
Metropolitan Water District – Field Investigations- MTA, Community Garden, LA River
August 8, 2007

Registration: 9:00-9:15 (1st floor, Room 101, across from the door to patio)

Opening Plenary Session: 9:15-10:00 (Room 101)

9:15-9:30
“Dream It and Make It Happen”
Joe Herman
Professional photographer using his passion to remind us of the importance of being environmentally
sensitive to the world and its inhabitants.

9:30-9:45
Sara Laiman
Margaret Moilov
Meet with teams and make sack lunches.

Experiential Learning: 10:00-1:00
Field investigations - MTA(Transportation) – Community Garden(Food System) – LA River(Open Space)

Final Plenary Session: 1:00-3:15
Presentation Preparation Gallery (2nd floor) 1:00 – 1:45
Presentations: (1st floor, Room 101, across from the door to patio)

1:45-2:00 Community Garden: Ambassadors- Daisy Villa, Agustin Franco, Syreeta Adams
2:05-2:20 Public Transportation - Ambassadors: Alex Pine & Amber Biano
2:25-2:40 Los Angeles River – Ambassadors: Vinni Mahne, Sabina Ibarra, John Vlahos

2:45-3:15 Reflection- Pledge for Change