Ten charities in Atlanta felt the love from more than 250 volunteers who took part in Project Live Love’s summer “action” event last Saturday. Kicking off the event at the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, the group spread out to volunteer at YouthPride, Atlanta Union Mission, Chris Kids, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, AD Williams, House to Home and more.
The service days, held quarterly, allow Project Live Love to put into action one of its biggest messages: influence a culture by engaging, networking and mobilizing people who are motivated by love. “The project started in 2009 to spread the message of love and giving back to the community,” Founder Drew Benton said.
“As an nonprofit, we do as much as we can, but to have[Project Live Love] come out and give time to our facility just makes the community better for everyone around,” said Terence McPhaul, executive director at YouthPride, a LGBTQQ youth center. Volunteers helped to clean up the whole facility.
The campaign began in August 2009 with stickers, t-shirts, billboards, social media, art shows and more with no other message but to get involved and give back to the community through the idea of love. “It could be anything from paying for a coffee for the person behind you or taking time to volunteer somewhere,” Benton said. “We decided to put our message into action by having ‘action days’ where we could put our love in motion towards various nonprofits and organizations.”
The first Project Live Love day was held last October with only 40 volunteers, and recently expanded to Jacksonville, Fla. “I would love to see this expand to all 50 states,” Benton said. “One of the biggest goals for this project is just to see everyone getting involved, giving back to the community and living love.”
To get involved with Project Live Love, visit www.projectlivelove.com
In Other News: The Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative is looking for "America's Favorite Park" through its second annual America Is Your Park campaign. Atlanta residents are encouraged to vote for a local park to receive one of three recreation grants. The park with the most votes will win the top grant worth at $100,000. The money will help restore, rebuild or enhance recreation areas in parks where people can play and be active. To vote for "America's Favorite Park", log onto www.livepositively.com. Voting ends Sept. 6.
About the Author
