Hi everyone! 

Edwin here, your trusty Mustard Seed Volunteer Coordinator II. It’s been a while since I last posted. I’ve been tremendously busy lately with volunteer recruitment, special projects, presenting to community outreach venues, Public Allies function, and much more, so I apologize for my lack of blogging! I’ll be picking up the pace though soon

In the mean time, check out our new Mustard Seed Volunteer page. It even includes a new video from our friends at the Society of Government Meeting Professionals, who came a few weeks ago to help us out with mattress and box spring deconstruction.

Haven’t volunteered with us yet? Whatcha’ waiting for?! Contact myself or Natalie Davis today at volunteer@mustardseedfla.org or phone at 407-875-2040!

Thanks for reading!

-Edwin

VOLUNTEER! 

Good morning, Mustard Seed fans!

We are still in need of volunteers for our Mattress Mayhem project, and it’s very easy to sign up!

• Call us at 407.875.2040 x110 to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator
• Email volunteer@mustardseedfla.org to express interest
• RSVP on our Mattress Mayhem…! Facebook event page
• Sign up at our Google Form (http://goo.gl/EoM1m)

If you aren’t aware, Mustard Seed is acquiring 3,000+ mattresses and boxsprings to be recycled from a rest in Lake Buena Vista, so we are looking for a strong and dedicated volunteer force to help us process and deconstruct all pieces to help continue our funding.
Have a great week!
-Edwin

Good morning, Mustard Seed Fans!

Edwin here, your Volunteer Coordinator II. I hope all is well out there! Things have been busy here at the office, but we’re keeping up the pace and getting our name and mission out there to the community. I just wanted to share some good news to you we’ve had recently. We’re very excited about these upcoming opportunities!

• GoodSearch.com

Mustard Seed recently signed up to be a beneficiary of donated funds through GoodSearch, which is an alternative to Google Search. With GoodSearch though, with every web search you make, you can directly support The Mustard Seed! A penny for every search is a penny earned, so help us today!

“Helping a cause you care about and making the world a better place can be something you do every day — not only when you have time to volunteer or extra money to donate. This is what Goodsearch is all about. We give you the ability to turn your everyday actions into simple ways to support and raise funds for your favorite cause.“ - GoodSearch/About Us

So far, without much promotion at all, GoodSearch has donated $132.90 to our organization! You can also browse images, videos, look at coupons, and shop at The GoodShop, where you can help Mustard Seed earn even larger percentages of donations! So check it out when you get a chance

• RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club / Food Truck Fridays

Mustard Seed is on the map again! This time, the RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club in Maitland, FL has chosen us to be their beneficiary throughout the month of May.

Since April, 2012, the RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club has donated over $62,000 to various organizations, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Special Olympic of Orange County, Grace Medical Home, A Gift For Teaching, Orlando Children’s Church, Edgewood Children’s Ranch, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Orlando Union Rescue Mission, House of Hope, Shepherd’s Hope and the Healing and Transition (HAT) Program.

So if you enjoy fine truck dining at lunch, stop by the corner of Maitland Summit Boulevard and Keller Road every Friday in May, 10am-2pm.

Good morning, everyone!

We recently served a client by the name of Roxanne Payne. We were so moved by her story, we wanted to share it to you. Please read the story below to see if you or anyone else from the community can help!

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Roxanne, a Pine Hills community member, has had to grow up rather quickly at a young age of 13. Roxanne resorts to hard work and determination to get her family through the day, staying away from drugs and narcotics. Throughout her adult life, Roxanne has cared for 14 children in total – 7 of her own children, and 7 adopted. She used to volunteer taking youth with special needs to school in Aloma, but has had to stop in order to find employment and to balance her own schooling.

Roxanne’s family lost both her home and husband within 3 months. After losing their home, the Payne’s belongings were kept in storage; however, those furnishings weren’t safe behind locked walls. Roxanne soon discovered that 2 months in, mold spores attacked every piece of furniture and clothing, forcing her to trash everything. Unable to do anything about the lost property, Roxanne found us to help her replace what she could.

On top of caring for her 3 ill sons, Roxanne recently had to assume the responsibility of taking care of her mother, who was released from a mental health facility and suffers from schizophrenia. Racking up close to $750 a month in medicinal costs alone out of pocket, Roxanne has trouble every day making ends meet for her and her family. Despite these troubles, Roxanne and her family still keep hope at the end of the day.

To alleviate the Payne family’s worries, we are asking our valuable community members to offer assistance where they can and to make a better tomorrow a reality for the Payne’s. If you are moved by this story and would like to show support, or if you know of any resources that the Payne Family could use, please contact me at edwin@mustardseedfla.org or by phone at (407) 875-2040 x110.

Thank you!

-Edwin

Well, now’s the chance!

Volunteer on any Thursday for at least 3 hours and receive a $5 coupon to use in the Boutique!

Please take just 2 minutes and see why I am a part of a great movement!

*Clicking the image above will take you directly to the link. Thank you!*

Public Allies of Central Florida

Public Allies

The Rotary International

The Rotary Club of Avalon Park is doing some really great things for its community, including holding complimentary pancake breakfasts for Avalon seniors; backpack, coat, and food drives for the neighboring Camelot Elementary School; building wheelchair ramps for families in need at their households; and much, much more. They’ll even hold kickball tournaments to support various organizations!

The Rotary Club of Avalon Park held their first annual Little Miss Avalon Park pageant at Avalon Church, and recently invited The Mustard Seed, as they sponsored our organization. It was such a great and fun event! This event had up to 100 attendees, and nearly everyone donated a bag of clothing, so our clients will be very appreciative of what they had to offer.

Heidi Cortassa, Event Specialist and Public Relations Elect for Rotary Club of Avalon Park, says, “The pageant was a tremendous success. It was definitely way more attended than we had anticipated and more than we ever hoped for. We had a lot of support from the community and neighborhood businesses. We are looking forward to an even bigger fundraiser next year!”

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida congratulates all 21 contestants for giving it their all, and to Elliet McDermed for being crowned Little Miss Avalon Park!

Photo 1: Courtesy of Action Shots 4 Kids

Photo 2: Courtesy of Avalon Park Rotary via Twitter (@aprotary)

*The clickable image above will take you directly to Fox 35 Orlando’s website to see the video*

Take a look below at an awesome opportunity, and purchase a ticket (or 2… ) to support The Mustard Seed!

Join us on Monday, April 29th, 2013 6:00PM – 9:00PM at Taps Restaurant  to mix & mingle with Orlando’s most successful business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs!

This event will feature business networking opportunities within a stylish social setting including influential individuals, appetizers, two complimentary drinks, and giveaways.

This event is brought to you by Red Carpet Monday, a sophisticated, invitation-only social business network, featuring successful business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs. Their stylish, live events give attendees a place to unwind while socializing, networking and sharing business ideas with other members.

Click this link for more information!

I try to learn something new every day, whether it’s something about myself, a friend, an activity or event going on in the community, and other things. Learning makes me open to new experiences; experiences that may not be available otherwise. Public Allies defines “continuous learning” in relation to its 5 core standards as, “The ability to question assumptions and beliefs, understand strengths and shortcomings, and commit to continued growth within a community context.”

Here at Mustard Seed, I am learning to be more aware of my surroundings, my community, and of the social problems that Central Floridians face on a daily basis. When I lived in Milwaukee, I was never exposed to homelessness issues, nor did I personally know anyone who was considered homeless. My family and I always lived within our means, and we were happy. I never questioned the issue of homelessness until now. Why are some people homeless? How do homeless individuals survive their daily ordeals? What is their story?

I am grateful for being exposed to the issue now, as it has proven to be a great eye-opener for me. I feel that I have grown and am able to be sympathetic toward homelessness issues. I see individuals every day who are bouncing back from homelessness, domestic abuse situations, and personal, physical, and natural tragedies. These exposures make me want to become a better leader because I know I can make a difference in alleviating homelessness. Both Mustard Seed and Public Allies have opened new avenues for me to continue my work and personal dedication to civic development.

To you, my reader, I ask of you this – Are you doing anything to help homelessness? If not, how can you help in your own way?

Consider This – The next time you’re at the grocery store, buy a few extra things to make care packages. Pack a water bottle, socks, gloves, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, Chapstick, other small items, and even an encouraging note in a waterproof bag to give out to a homeless individual on the street.

Thanks, readers, and I’ll see you around! Any insight that you have (and able to give) will be greatly appreciated

-Edwin

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“Never let formal education get in the way of your learning.” – Mark Twain