Feed Hope Now - Portraits of Hunger Showcase

Portraits of Hunger Showcase: Enzian's Eden Bar
Wednesday, September 30, 2009.

Join us in viewing photo submissions from this year's Portraits of Hunger Photography Contest. Winner will be announced at this event. Bring a food donation (non-perishable) and receive one ticket for a Free bottle of Peroni.

Photographs will be voted online by the public. Voting will start on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Chosen photos will be displayed at the event and some will be picked to be made into larger than life size banners to be hung at the food bank’s warehouses. Winning photo will be put in our Gatherer Newsletter - 10,000 distributed.

If you would like to participate in the contest go to www.FeedHopeNow.org. Deadline to submit photos: Monday, August 24, 2009

Cell Phones for Soldiers!

Got any old cell phones laying around the house? Has you or anyone you know upgraded or bought a new phone recently? What should we all do with all these old phones? ....... We have the best solution for you that's super easy AND free!

Donate your old and unwanted phones to our brave soldiers. The phones are recycled and the money is used to offer a source of communication for our troops to keep in touch with friends and family. This is a true gift from the heart and is so simple to get your donated phones shipped out...

... Just throw them in an envelope (chargers and batteries are not required, but gladly accepted). CLICK HERE and print your postage free shipping label. Stick the label to the envelope and toss it in the mail.

I've shipped out old phones twice already in the past month and I have to tell you..........It feels GREAT!

If you prefer, you can also collect old phones from friends and family (spread the word) and bring them to one of our future gatherings or donation drop off locations and we'll ship them out for you.

Well, we hope this has given you another opportunity to share your hearts and send a gift of love.

May you have a restful night's sleep and wake up feeling at peace and rejuvenated!
xoxoxo
~Lovebug

Revitalize is BACK!

....We've missed you and the entire community! Ami & Jess have returned to spread love and joy!!

We are so happy to say that our adopted platoon from Afghanistan has returned to the USA. They are grateful for the love and support that Orlando gave them!! Recently, we have hooked up with another group of soldiers in the Navy and they are in need of all of our help! Look out for donation events and drop off locations (info to be posted soon!).

In the meanwhile, check out this site to donate your old cell phones to the troops: www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

In local community news, be on the lookout for our future events and charity projects...Picnic in the Park part 2 and our next gleaning adventure (what will it be this time...corn, fruit...???)!

We cannot wait to reconnect with everyone (and anyone)!
Much love,
Ami & Jess

Supporting our soldiers...

Revitalize has adopted three Platoons consisting of about 100 soldiers. They are currently stationed in Afghanistan and Revitalize will be shipping care packages to them as often as possible. We would love for you to be a part of this wonderful cause and community movement. Any contribution you can offer sends a message of love and hope to these brave men who will not be returning home for several months. These care packages mean more to them then we could ever imagine.

With thoughts of peace,
Jess and Ami
myspace.com/revitalizeorlando

Pictures and Donation details are below....



Drop off Locations for January 2008 TBA:
If you would like to give a donation, please feel free to contact us at revitalizeorlando@gmail.com or 407.399.7589

Donation Guide (a list of items recently requested):

Food and Beverage:

Lots of Snacks (crucial) – no chocolate (this will melt in the mail)

Instant Coffee (Automatic Drip)

Creamer

Sugar

Energy Bars (come in useful when walking all night)

Beef Jerky

Canned soups and stews (starting to get really cold)

Powered drink mix (Propel, Crystal light, Red Bull, etc.)

Clothing:

Socks (wool only in black or green) – Army Navy Store

Toiletries:

Soap

Liquid Soap

Baby Wipes (they use these a lot)

Hand sanitizer

Q Tips

Shampoo

Deodorant

Hygiene products (all kinds)

Misc. and More:

Chap Stick

Fly swatters

Pipe Cleaners (To clean equipment)

Batteries (AAA, AA, and D cell )

Silly String (use to detect trip wire and also for fun J )

Hand and Boot warmers (Winters in Afghanistan are very cold)

Back Scratches

Letters can be written for encouragement, to thank them, etc.

Cards can be sent from you and your family for the holidays, etc.

Pens (the locals feel that pens represent education and constantly ask the soldiers for them)

Entertainment

Magazines – all kinds

Movies – all kinds

Music – all kinds

Board games

DVDs of recorded TV shows (haven't seen a T.V show in 8 months) – any prime time sitcom, especially "Lost" and shows from the Discovery channel, History channel and the Military channel are also great.

Books - all kinds

Our first volunteering experience - It warmed our hearts!!!

This past Saturday, Ami and I had the opportunity to take part in a Second Harvest Food Bank event - Corn Gleaning in Zellwood. Gleaning was a new term to us so we weren't quite sure what to expect! It turned out to be an amazing way to help the homeless.

We arrived to the farm early that morning. Armed in our overalls, bandana and straw cap, we grabbed two buckets and jumped in the back of a pick up. From there we were driven through the muddy terrain and into the corn field. Eagerly we jumped off the back and went into the field. Basically, we were picking after the machines had already gone through the field. These "leftovers" are then taken to different homeless shelters within Central Florida.

Ami with her first pick of the day:


Some of the other volunteers. According to Amy (one of the head volunteers from Society of St. Andrew) we picked 12,000 lbs that day!!!:


It was so amazing to see all of the kids that were involved!!! It was very empowering. Lugging those buckets full of corn wasn't an easy task, but anytime the going got tough, we smiled and laughed, knowing what we were doing was so important and helpful.

Me with my bucket:


Working together to help the community is one of the things we are all about. It felt so amazing to be up at such an early hour on a Saturday to help. We left feeling accomplished that by giving our time, we are adding hope to someone's life.

Be on the lookout for our next opportunity to help make our world a better place! Next time we hope to see you there. You'll definately get a big high five from us!



With lots of love,
Jess