Wrapping up toys as we wrap up the year!

The year is drawing to a close, and it has been a very exciting one!

First, we want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who attended our Toys for Tots events. We collected over 100 toys, and that's not including the toy bins still at all of our toy drive locations! If you missed out on the charity poker tournament or the Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit show, no worries! You can still make the holiday season brighter for a local child by donating a new, unwrapped toy at any of the properties listed on ApartmentsinGainesville.com. The toy drive will end on December 15th.

So you might be wondering, what is there to look forward to now? Besides the holidays and all the delicious things that come with them, the start of a new year kicks off a whole new round of events! The first will be "Taking it off for charity,"  a strip poker tournament on January 22nd. Don't worry...not all the layers are allowed to come off! This event supports a clothing drive for St. Francis House, a very deserving charity that aids the homeless and is crucial during the frosty winter.

In February, you can make your dog's tail go crazy with the Kanapaha 5K-9, a 5K that will lead you and your dog through the UF campus. The money raised will be given to the Alachua County Humane Society to purchase food, supplies, and make sure all those happy hounds can find a home!

Other spring events include a Pledge 5 golf tournament and public service drive and, of course, Gator Stompin'. Please continue to check the blog and become a fan on Facebook to get all the updates! You can also follow us on Twitter.

My last announcement is for any students at the University of Florida or Santa Fe Community College who are looking for an amazing spring internship! The Pledge 5 Foundation will be hosting an Intern Mixer at Sharab Lounge on Wednesday, December 8th to not only show appreciation for the fall interns, but also provide information for potential new interns! Enjoy free food and drinks and learn about the following internship openings:

Event Management - Public Relations - Graphic Design - Web Design - Marketing - Advertising, Videography - Photography - Public Service

See the Facebook event page for more information!

I hope you have enjoyed the blog because I certainly have had a lot of fun writing it! This is my final blog post on behalf of Pledge 5, so thank you for for reading and I hope you continue to do so. Happy holidays, everyone. Please remember to give more than just gifts this season--get out there and make a change in your community!


--Jenna Hankins
The Pledge 5 Foundation

Behind the talent of Gainesville "Gifts" Back

With only two days remaining until Gainesville "Gifts" Back, there is a lot of excitement not only among the Pledge 5 team but also among our performers! In order to help you get to know these talented people and groups a little better, this post contains short bios and clips of performances by each one. I hope you enjoy it and choose to come out to the Venue this Thursday to show your support for both our performers and Toys for Tots! Be sure to bring that new, unwrapped toy donation for free admission!

In order of performance (contests in between!):

Tim Keck
Tim Keck began performing stand-up comedy in 2009.  His first time on stage was the opening round of the National College Comedy Competition, where he placed high enough to make it to the next round and earn a spot on the University of Florida’s stand-up comedy team.  Tim help the University of Florida make it to the final four of the NCAA and as a result was invited to perform in The Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, 2009.
In 2010 Tim Keck and the University of Florida’s stand-up comedy team won the National College Comedy Competition and were once again invited to perform in The Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, 2010.
Tim Keck is the president of the University Stand-Up Comedy Club where he teaches UF students how to write and perform stand-up comedy.
Tim Keck is a member of Theatre Strike Force, the University of Florida’s premier improv comedy troupe.  He regularly performs with their Harold team, Delta Group.

Rudy Mendoza

Far Away Planes

The rock quartet, Far Away Planes, formed in August of 2010. The band hales from Gainesville, Florida and consists of John Ketcham (guitar/vocals), Tim Anderson (bass/vocals), Kevin Biegler (drums), and Sean O’Brien (vocals/guitar/keys). Their musical style is linked to the indie-dance-rock genre, with its catchy melodies and dancey drum beats. Each member has a unique musical background and a diverse list of musical influences. That formula, in turn, creates the distinctive sound of Far Away Planes.
Musical Influences: Foals, Minus the Bear, Bloc Party, As Tall As Lions, Kings of Leon

Andrew Duvall

Andrew Duvall was raised by a pack of wolves in the back ally streets of Toronto, Canada. He was then traded to human captivity where he began his life journey as an outcast. At a young age, he learned to solace the victims of his awkwardness with hysterical laughter. By the time he entered high school, Andrew acquired the clairvoyant power of forcing any human he encountered to involuntarily excrete liquid from their bladder.
After high school, Andrew entered the comedy club scene and was branded the moniker Andrew Duvall, “The Canadian Mind Grenade” – an accurate depiction of the awkward, hysterical and mind-blisteringly hilarious explosion that occurs every time he takes the stage.
With his unique, impossible-to-replicate stand-up style, Andrew Duvall is making his mark on the comedy world one stage at a time.

the top physicians

the top physicians are a local indie/rock band who just love sharing emotions with others. Since January, the guys have been crafting tunes that stem from love, heartache, bitterness and acceptance. By combining these all-too-real feelings with catchy pop melodies, the top physicians create a sound that resonates with everyone.

http://www.myspace.com/thetopphysicians

 

JC Currais
JC is originally from Miami FL and currently lives in Gainesville, FL. Has been performing stand up comedy for over 2 years and has performed all over the Southeast.

Click for JC Currais on Facebook

Tom Sartori
Since Tom Sartori was 11 years old he has been passionate about music. He grew up in a musically gifted family, and learned to play the guitar, piano, trumpet, and drums at an early age. In recent years, Tom has been touring all over the world, sharing the stage with big names such as Meatloaf, Sister Hazel, Cheap Trick, Josh Kelley, 98 degrees, Reel Big Fish, and Chuck Berry.

Come out THIS Thursday, December 2nd to support all this amazing talent AND Toys for Tots! The show begins at 10 PM and doors open at 9:30 PM. Bring an unwrapped toy donation for FREE admission!

See you there!

-The Pledge 5 Team

5 fantastic reasons to attend Gainesville "Gifts" Back!

Hello, again!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! While the Pledge 5 office was closed, we've been keeping busy on our Facebook page and Twitter. Follow the links to see posts and updates about all the acts featured in the Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit show and fun Toy Tidbits in support for Toys for Tots. Pledge 5 is taking the stage on December 2nd at the Venue in downtown Gainesville to help collect toys donations for Toys for Toys! Maybe you've seen one of our updates, taken note of a tweet, or read a previous blog post and are not yet convinced that you should give up your Thursday night to join us. If that's the case, keep reading! Here are the top 5 reasons you should join us at Gainesville "Gifts" Back.

5. Free t-shirts. Don't lie to me...everyone loves a free t-shirt! The first 100 guests to arrive will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of ApartmentsinGainesville.com, the premiere website for apartment hunting in Gainesville. Doors will open at 8:30, so get there early. This event may only last one night, but show your support for Toys for Tots all year by wearing your Gainesville "Gifts" Back t-shirt!

4.  Plenty of contests and chances to win! You didn't think we would let all the audience members just stand there and do nothing, did you? Throughout the evening we will have various holiday contests that are sure to provide a little comic relief...and make it onto YouTube, thanks to your best friend. The good news, however, is you could win one of hundreds of dollars worth of prizes! The contests are:

The Jingle Bells FreeStyle Caroling gets creative
The 30-second Interpretive Dance Challenge Let the joy of the season move you...literally.
The Human Christmas Tree Always shine your brightest.

3. Help your community by taking the Pledge! By attending Gainesville "Gifts" Back, you're becoming an active member of your community. This entire benefit show is in honor of Toys for Tots, and is one of the many events the Pledge 5 Foundation hosts throughout the year. Each event supports a different local charity and seeks to raise awareness of not only the need for volunteers, but their power to make a difference in the lives of others. Come out and hear more about Pledge 5 and get a head start on your pledge for the upcoming new year! Haven't yet taken the pledge to donate 5 hours to public service? Join our cause on Facebook and help make a change in your community!

2. Support local talent. Like holiday gifts, our performers come in all different packages. Some are young, some are musicians, and some are comedians. No matter what gets your toes tapping or face smiling, we guarantee you will enjoy the show! All of our performers have agreed to take part sans pay in order to support Toys for Tots, and the least we can do is support these local groups in return.

Musical performances by:

Tom Sartori, top recording artist

the top physicians, Gainesville's favorite indie rockers (Check them out on Gooveshark!)

Far Away Planes, a local group soaring to the top!

Comedians include the funniest North Florida has to offer:

Tim Keck, Rudy Mendoza, JC Currais and Andrew Duvall!

1. Support Toys for Tots. Few would argue that Toys for Tots is an undeserving charity. As of 2009, the Toys for Tots program has collected and distributed over 500 million toys! Even better is that all the toys remain in the area that conducted the toy drive. What exactly does this mean? All of the toys donations you help raise will go directly toward making this a brighter holiday season for children in the Gainesville area! Donation bins are located at all properties listed on ApartmentsinGainesville.com. We will also be collecting toys in Turlington Plaza on the UF campus from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 29th and Wednesday, December 1st. Just look for the Santa Clause! All toys need to be new and unwrapped. Bring a toy to Gainesville "Gifts" Back and receive FREE ADMISSION!

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If my list doesn't have you ready to get up and go this Thursday to Gainesville "Gifts" Back, I don't know what will! We truly hope to see you there, it is going to be a spectacular night!

-The Pledge 5 Team

Giving back in Gainesville

As the temperature and leaves begin to fall around Gainesville, many residents are hustling to hang festive decorations, stock up on holiday fixings and children are making their wish lists. These next two months are the favorite time of year for many. However, for those in need these chilly night can be the worst. I wanted to devote this blog to local organizations that do a little something extra to make the holiday season bright for everyone, whether it's making sure no one goes hungry for the holidays or that children are able to receive gifts.

Bread of the Mighty Food Bank
Each holiday season, Bread of the Mighty prepares holiday baskets filled with all of the traditional fixings needed for a delicious meal. BOTM is in need of both food donations (such as boxed stuffing, corn, rice and canned vegetables) and volunteers to help organize the food.  Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 325 NW 10th Ave. For more information call 336-0839 or visit www.breadofthemighty.org.


Salvation Army of Gainesville
During the holiday season, the Salvation Army is usually associated with the ringing of bells in front of local businesses. However, be sure not to overlook the other successful program--Salvation Army Angel Trees. In Gainesville trees are located in the J.C. Penney at the Oaks Mall, Walmart and Kmart stores. By adopting one or more of the "angels," you can donate toys to children who might not receive gifts otherwise.


14th Annual Holiday Traditions: A Musical Celebration to help STOP! Children’s Cancer
On December 12th, head out to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 4:00 p.m. to enjoy a musical show supporting STOP! Children's Cancer, Inc. This organization works to prevent, control, and cure cancer in children. Tickets for the concert are $12 for adults, $6 for children under 12.

Haven Hospice of Florida: Kid's Holiday Shopping Night at the Attic

Created for children in need, the Haven Hospice Kids' Holiday Shopping Night at the Attic gives children the opportunity to purchase gifts for free for family members using “Attic Bucks.” Festivities will include gift wrapping, photos with Santa, punch and cookies—all free of charge. Haven Hospice is in need of donations of gift wraps, cookies, and punch by the first week in December. Last year 400 children attended, so this is a great event to help with! For more information visit www.havenhospice.org.



Children's Home Society of Florida
The Children's Home Society of Florida will be offering affordable gifts at their thrift shop, and is in need of toys for all ages, clothing, and any school supplies. Sixty volunteers are needed to help operate the thrift store and another 15 are needed to help sort out gift donations for their toy drive. More information can be found at www.cshfl.org.


Junior League of Gainesville: Winter Wonderland shopping eventThe Junior League of Gainesville, is a local organization that helps women in the community. This holiday season it is hosting its Winter Wonderland shopping event at its thrift shop, which will allow families to shop for gift items while their children are entertained with holiday activities. The Junior League is looking for gift items such as candles, jewelry, purses, clothing and toys, as well as craft supplies and gift wrap and will need them prior to the day of the event on December 8th. Proceeds from the Winter Wonderland event benefit other Junior League projects, including the Miracle on Main Street toy and bike giveaway, the Read with Me literacy project and Kids in the Kitchen healthy eating program. More information at www.gainesvillejrleague.org.

Home Van Pet Care Project
As the season takes a chilly turn, be sure to remember not only the local homeless, but their pets! The Home Van Pet Care Project delivers food, toys, and treats to local dogs and cats. They are in need of food donations and also anyone willing to deliver these donations to animals in the area and/or help take pets and their owners to veterinary clinics. For more information, contact Elizabeth Howard at holisticliz@hotmail.com




Toys for Tots
Last but not least is the Toys for Tots charity, which is the organization Pledge 5 is supporting with our upcoming Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit show. On December 2nd, you can join us at The Warehouse in downtown Gainesville for a night of local musicians, comedians, dancers and contests. Free admission with a toy donation! Performers include Tom Sartori, the Top Physicians, Far Away Planes, and top competitive dance team i.dance. Our featured comedians are Tim Keck, Rudy Mendoza and JC Currais. Contests include the Jingle Bells FreeStyle, Holiday Interpretive Dance Contest, Human Christmas Tree Contest, and a Furby Impression Contest! So grab a friend and grab a toy, sit back and enjoy the show!

See you there,
The Pledge 5 Team

Ante up and rock out for Toys for Tots!

With the holidays quickly approaching, it's all about the toys! Between your favorite classics and the many new varieties offered today, toys have always brought smiles to children's faces. However, for many kids there is not a lot to hope for as parents struggle in this difficult time to make ends meet. This is where Pledge 5 and the Toys for Tots charity step in! With two main events and collection bins in many locations, Pledge 5 is hosting its annual toy drive. Toys for Tots ensures that the toys collected stay within the community hosting the drive, so the more toys that are donated, the brighter Gainesville will be this holiday season!

Do you like to play poker? Then join Pledge 5 at the Ocala Poker Room this Sunday, November 21st and gamble for good in Pledge 5's annual Toys for Tots Poker Tournament! Buy-in costs $45 plus an unwrapped toy donation.The first 50 to register will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of ApartmentsinGainesville.com .   Register today!

Another way to support for Toys for Tots is to make some noise at the Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit show on December 2nd! Taking place at the Venue in downtown Gainesville, this event will feature local bands, comedians and dancers. Performers include Tom Sartori, the Top Physicians, Hip Hop Collective, Tim Keck and JC Currais. There will be plenty of chances to win during our festive contests, too! The four contests are the Jingle Bells FreeStyle, Holiday Interpretive Dance Contest, Human Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, and a Furby Impression Contest. Bring an unwrapped toy donation for free admission. Doors open at 8:30 and the first 100 guests will receive a free t-shirt! Get home safely with the Safe Ride Program provided by Carey Meldon of the Law Offices of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates.

Read more about The Pledge 5 Foundation and the annual Toys for Tots toy drive in the article published by Community Good Life Magazine. Please donate an unwrapped toy to any of the Pledge 5 collection bins!

--The Pledge 5 Team

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors!

ApartmentsinGainesville.com
The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon & Associates
Planet Beach
Monster Energy
Mamma Mia
Hampton Inn & Suites
Gainesville Health and Fitness
Domino's
The Independent Florida Alligator
The Gainesville Sun
KISS 105
Star 99.5
Smooth FM 100.9
105 The Game

Gambling for good: Charity poker tournaments

Since the 1300s when playing cards were first introduced to Europe form China,  cards have always been a staple in entertainment. Today, over 65 million Americans play poker on a regular basis, which makes it one of the leading past times! With numbers that large, it is no surprise that poker tournaments have hit the jackpot with the American public. Today, tournaments are televised and have a large following. The most notable of these tournaments are the ones featuring celebrities that donate the winnings to a charity of his or her choice, such as Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown. Celebrity Poker Showdown ran for eight season and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charities.

Of course, not all charity poker tournaments can take place at posh locations and feature high-rollers. More common than these large-scale tournaments is the wave of tournaments hosted by non-profits and smaller businesses across America. 


With prizes often being donated items such as gift cards or a flat screen TV, charity poker tournaments differ in several ways than competitive tournaments. Besides the fact the winner doesn't always take home cash, the atmosphere is generally laid-back as guests enjoy the game without worrying about the financial aspect. The donated money comes from buy-ins and always goes toward a deserving cause players are happy to "ante up" for!


When it comes to making a positive change, charity poker tournaments are the real deal! 


In fact, Pledge 5 will be hosting a charity poker tournament benefiting Toys for Tots! So put on your best poker face and come out to Ocala Poker and Jai-Alai on November 21st for the second annual Pledge 5 Foundation Toys for Tots Poker Tournament. Buy-in is $45 and one unwrapped toy donation. Tickets now available at Pledge5.org.

We hope you see you there...it's going to be a Full House!

-The Pledge 5 Team

**Note: The date of the Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit has been changed to December 2nd!**

Your old toys: Trash 'em or cash 'em?

Toys have certainly changed with the times. From the simple mechanics of the slinky to the multi-dimensional interactive games of today, children have always longed for the newest "it" toy. Some have survived the test of time, such as LEGOs (first introduced in 1934), Mattel Barbie Dolls, and the Rubik's Cube (1978), while others faded out as quickly as they arrived (remember Furbies and Tomagotchis?). Today, many old toys are not worth much besides their sentimental value, but if you happen to have part of a collectible set or original packaging, you might also have a lot of resell value potential. In honor of Pledge 5's upcoming events benefiting Toys for Tots, here are some examples of the toy categories still haulin' in enough cash to fill even the largest Tonka Dump Truck!

Metal lunch boxes

In the mid 1980s the classic metal lunch box was replaced with plastic, and it didn't take long for them to become highly sought after items. Toppie the Elephant is one of the rarest characters, and sells for up to $4,000. A Beatles fan will easily pay $1,000 for a lunch box featuring the iconic group, and lunch boxes that once sold for a quarter, such as a Flying Nun box, can sell for many, many times their original value (a Flying Nun now goes for around $150).

How do collectors decide the value? The central factors are the popularity of the characters, rarity and condition, which are graded on a scale of 1 to 10. Most collectors will turn away from anything less than a 7, which translates into average wear, some rust and a maybe a minor ding in the thermos.

Action figures
Collectible action figures are one of the categories that still maintain a large fan base. Two of the most notable lines of action figures are the original Star Wars series and G.I. Joe. While Star Wars figures still maintain value even without the original box, G.I. Joes receive the highest bids with packaging intact. The most valuable Star Wars figure is the "Telescoping Lightsaber" Darth Vader, which was one of the first figures produced in 1978 and can sell for up to $6,000!

Surprisingly, the most valuable G.I. Joe isn't a Joe at all, but rather the G.I. Nurse that flopped with little boys in 1967, but is a hit with collectors today. In the original box a seller can expect to earn $3,500.

Baseball cards

Cards from Topp's 1952 Series

With baseball cards, it's all about the player, not the age. Legends such as Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth are always valuable, as are cards for some rookies who look promising. Some other things to consider when assesing the value of your baseball cards are that cards issued from 1988 to 1993were printed in huge quantities and are unlikely to go for much. However, some of the valuable cards were printed after 1993, when baseball-card companies began issuing expensive card series with limited print runs. The 1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Masterpiece series, for example, included only three Ken Griffey Jr. cards, and two have already sold for at least $14,000 each!

Topps's 1952 series, known as an all-star year for baseball cards, bring anywhere from $35 to $400. But to be valuable, a vintage card must rate at least an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, which means it must be nearly flawless.

 Avoid...
There are a few items experts agree you shouldn't bet on becoming valuable in the long run. One is Beanie Babies. While a few rare Beanies can sell for some cash, overall they won't be worth much more in 20 years than today. Another item to avoid are collectible trains. These have truly become hobby items, as the majesty of trains is lost to the younger generations. In short, if there is no market and if an item promotes itself as "collectible," chances are you won't be able to earn much from holding on to these products.

Regardless if your old toys are worth money, they are always symbols of childhood memories. Pledge 5 is working with Toys for tots this November to help bring toys to children around the country, and especially here in the Gainesville area. On November 19th we will be throwing the Gainesville "Gifts" Back benefit concert at The Venue in downtown Gainesivlle,and on November 21st will be hosting a charity poker tournament at Ocala Poker and Jai-Alai. You can also donate toys at any property listed on ApartmentsinGainesville.com!

Be sure to bring joy to a child this holiday season. It's easy...Just donate a toy!

--The Pledge 5 Team

Benefit concerts resonate with communities

On July 13th in 1985, Live Aid connected 2 billion viewers around the world and raised over $280 million to alleviate famine in Ethiopia. Still regarded as the most successful benefit concert ever held, it has begun a wave of benefit concerts heard around the world.

What is it that makes concerts for charities so successful? Many events feature more than music. Other entertainment includes comedians, silent auctions, food, and local dance groups. For audience members, there is little to lose when you pay for entertainment, knowing every dollar goes toward a cause. It is also a chance to come together with a group of people, all of whom share something in common simply by choosing to attend. Whether the talent is an international star or a local singer/songwriter, music will always serve as a connector between community members, no matter how large that "community" might be.

If your toes are ready to tap and you're part of the Gainesville community, you'll want to mark your calendars for the Toys for Tots JAMboree on November 19th at the Venue in downtown Gainesville. Admission in free with an unwrapped toy donation, and local comedians, bands and dancers will be part of the program.

Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 and is a charity that strives to give toys to children whose parents aren't able to provide holiday gifts. All the toys stay within the community in which the toy drive is held, making sure the positive impact stays local. In 1995, Toys for Tots became the official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve and as of 2009 has collected and distributed over 500 million toys!

So grab your friends and grab a toy, then enjoy the show while bringing joy!

--The Pledge 5 Team

Vampire's Blood Drive: Going out with a SCREAM!

The Pledge 5 Vampire's Blood Drive benefiting LifeSouth is coming to an end, and soon Vlad the Vampire will be returning to his cozy-coffin home. The fun isn't over yet, though!

The drive was a huge success, and is going out with a SCREAM this Friday at Sharab Lounge in downtown Gainesville with the Vampire's Ball. At 10 pm, guests in their best Halloween costumes will join us for a night of free food, dancing, and chances to win prizes with competitions like the Mummy Wrap and Best Scream.  There will even be a list of daunting drinks, including:

Blood on the Rocks
Vampire's Kiss
Vampire's Lemonade

The Bloody Orange
Vamptini

Ages 18+ are welcome, and there will be plenty to do even if you're not enjoying our creative concoctions! This will be a blood-curdling night you don't want to miss. Click here for more information!


We've been so busy promoting the blood drive and Vampire's Ball that you are probably wondering what we are going to do with all this free time. The truth is, we have already begun work on our next two events! The first is a benefit concert benefiting Toys for Tots that will feature local talent at the Venue on November 19th. The cost? One toy donation that will make the holidays a little brighter for a child. There will be plenty of prizes raffled off and you can enter our t-shirt design contest for the chance to have your design on the event shirts!

In the mood to take a few risks? Then the next event is for you! Also supporting Toys for Tots is our charity poker tournament, which will be held at Ocala Jai-Alai on November 21st. Regardless of who takes home the pot, children will be the real winners at this event! What was your favorite childhood toy? Let us know by posting on the P5F Facebook wall and you could WIN!

Keep following Pledge 5 on Twitter and Facebook for more information! Make your pledge today to create change in your community.

Upcoming posts: "Benefit concerts resonate with communities," "Homelessness and children", "How much is that toy worth?"

--The Pledge 5 Team

MentorSHIP: Helping youth navigate rough seas

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

-Winston Churchill

In 1904, a journalist by the name of Ernest Coulter lamented the harsh treatment of juveniles in the court system, stating to a group church members that "there is only one possible way to save that youngster: to have some earnest, true man volunteer to be his big brother, to look after him, help him to do right, make the little chap feel that there is at least one human being in this great city ... who cares whether he lives or dies." That day, Coulter gained 39 volunteers who became the founders of what is now the largest mentoring program in the country--Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Since then, mentorship programs have sprung up from many sources. Small towns, large universities and even nationally-endorsed programs such as the MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership have connected young people with somebody to encourage him or her to simply be more. Maybe it is more involved on campus, more motivated in school, or finding more reasons to smile. Whatever it may be, mentoring revolves around the idea that every person has something to give back, and in turn, something to learn. Mentorship is a two-way flow of information that participants agree has the power to change lives. The included quote by Winston Churchill strikes at the very nature of mankind--the most fulfillment in life comes from giving, not from earning. While we, as Americans, constantly seek to prove otherwise, every poll and study shows that humans find the longest-lasting happiness from altruistic activities. Some label it reaching the "meaningful life," a stage where we no longer focus on only finding joy for ourselves, but rather obtain that joy from knowing we positively changed the life of another.

Becoming a mentor is an easy way to move toward this stage. Every person has something to give. Are you a college student studying business? Mentor a high school student about personal finance. If you love children, there are dozens of ways to help them with activities ranging from sports to something as basic as being there with a congratulatory high-five when they get an A on their homework. An hour or two a week is a small time commitment, and it really can make an impact, particularly with young people. Growing up is when attitudes and ambitions are cultivated, and many youth struggle to find a role model and direction, particularly in lower income areas where both parents often work and going to college is not the norm. If a mentor can be there to remind them of goals and be a bright source of hope and encouragement, that child will see himself or herself in a new light both at the present time and as he or she imagines the future. Many "at-risk" children just need someone to believe in them in order to soar.

So, if you are looking for ways to fulfill your 5-hour pledge this year, become a mentor and help a young person navigate around the many obstacles and deterrents that life places in their paths. All children have sails capable of billowing in the wind, they might just need someone like you to be that first gust.

Gainesville Mentorship Opportunities:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida
Foster Grandparents of Alachua County
Take Stock in Children
Master Money Mentor Program
Kids Count of Alachua County
...and plenty of opportunities if you are a UF student:CHAMPS

SOAR (Strengthening Opportunities and Reaching Out)
Project MASCOT
After School Gators

Of course, there are many more opportunities out there, but hopefully this will help you get started!

Don't forget to donate blood during the Vampire's Blood Drive! You still have until this Friday! Also, be sure to make it out to the Vampire's Ball on Friday, October 29th. Celebrate a successful blood drive in your best costume with us at Sharab Lounge...if you dare!


--The Pledge 5 Team

Nightmare on Non-Profit Street

And how a strong non-profit has nothing to be afraid of!

Halloween is just around the corner, are you ready? For one night everyone will be spooked with costumes, decorations and spine-tingling movies that tap into their worst fears. For non-profits, however, it can seem as though Halloween never ends--at any time our nightmares can come true! A director might get the shivers when he or she thinks of running out of funds or the cancellation of a big event, but a strong organization has nothing to fear!

Worst Nightmare #1: "You work with who?"
When somebody works for a non-profit or charity, every upcoming event is marked in the calendar, the mission statement is committed to memory, and he or she might mention the name 100 times per week.  Approaching potential sponsors, donors and the community is daunting enough, but it becomes a bad dream when those groups have never even heard of the organization that employee has put so much work into. Of course it is to be expected if you are the new kid on the non-profit block, but here is how to avoid that awkward situation in the future.

1. Be focused. Have a specific goal, a relevant title, and clear mission statement.There should be no confusion about what exactly an organization does!
2. Continuing that idea, an organization needs to be useful. Find a need, then fill it. If another group is already doing what you do, then the chances are that others won't take notice. 
3. Picture for a moment what happens when you burst a water balloon. Not only does water splash everywhere, but all the little balloon pieces fly off, too. That should be an organization's name. Have a website, comment on other blogs, and put it on every social media site. Include the name in every message, PSA or piece of paper that goes out of the door. Have a logo on your office window and a sign at every event you're even remotely affiliated with. The more times community members see and hear your name, the less you'll have to worry about them not knowing who you are!

Worst Nightmare #2: Event cancellation.
Does the thought of rain make you scream? Would the cancellation of a 5K permit send you running? Do you get goosebumps when you imagine a venue scheduling over your reservation? If you answered "yes" to these questions, chances are you have been there before, and probably with a non-profit organization. For small organizations in particular, large amounts of the budget go towards planning and promoting an event, and a cancellation can be devastating. The key is to be prepared and ready to jump into some serious crisis management! Here is how a non-profit can find it's way out of this scary situation.

1. Before the event, have a backup plan for scenarios such as bad weather. How much you can plan for varies each event, but always be prepared for as much as possible!
2. Immediately address guests/participants, sponsors and staff. Guests might want a refund, but you can always offer something such as free admission to your next event. Likewise for sponsors. If they donated any items or funds, they deserve just compensation and an explanation about what went wrong. Maintain a positive image and good relations with all parties!
3. Financially, the best bet is to try and move the event to another day so no funds are wasted. If that isn't possible, it honestly comes down to doubling fundraising efforts and focusing on future events to cover any lost costs.

Worst Nightmare #3: Pockets are eerily empty.
Funding. It's the never ending battle of all non-profits. Another large portion of budgets often go into fundraising efforts, but if yourself with empty pockets, you can work hard on fundraising, apply for grants or make your way onto websites that consolidate organizations into one location, such as NetworkForGood.org.

If you really run out of money completely, it can be difficult to get back onto your feet. The best plan is to avoid this situation entirely!

1. Maintain good accounting practices. Basic? Yes, but it is essential to always understand your financial position.
2. Prioritize spending. Make a budget and be careful about where the money goes. It would be a shame to provide lunch every Friday for employees and then not have enough money to cover advertising costs of a new initiative. 
3. Set goals. Once again, this seems rudimentary. However, having a goal to strive for can motivate the whole team to work harder and might encourage donors to give more when they see the specific number you are reaching for!
4. Be interesting. Few people will pick up the phone, listen to a brief introduction and donation request, then jump out of his or her seat with excitement. Always have original events that the community can be excited about, and work to make sure anyone you are addressing really understands your mission and cares about helping your organization reach it's goals.
5. Part two of that last bullet is how you make potential donors and participants care. Well, I hate to say it, but human nature is a little bit selfish. Always strive to make relationships mutually beneficial. Have contests, prizes for participants and/or opportunities for sponsors to promote themselves. 

Well, readers, now you know three of our worst nightmares! Like anything, though, they are a lot less spooky when someone shines a little light on them. Do you have any advice or want to share your experience about a non-profit nightmare? Be sure to comment or tweet it to us @Pledge5!

Don't forget that our Vampire's Blood Drive is still going on, and the Vampire's Ball is just around the corner! Follow Vlad the Vampire on our Twitter and Facebook Pages to hear about all the prizes and contests going on! Ve Vant Your Blood! Give back to the community today.

--The Pledge 5 Team

Donating blood: Nothing to be frightened of!

Hello!

It is day four of our Vampire's Blood Drive, and our vampires have been busy! While many people donate blood at least once a year, there are many more who never do. This post will address the common concerns and the process of donating blood, hopefully encouraging more people to participate in a blood drive and help save lives! After all, according to the Red Cross, the #1 reason people choose to donate is because they "want to help others!" It is certainly one of the easiest ways to make a difference in your community.


To start off, here are some quick facts.

1. People with O- type blood are universal donors, meaning their blood can be given to people of all blood types. Only 7% of people in the U.S. have O- blood type!
2. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
3. Every two seconds a blood donation is needed in the U.S.
4. A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days
5. The average adult has about 10 to 12 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation.
6.If you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached age 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood. That can save over 1,000 lives!

Now, a little more information about what to expect before, during, and after the blood donation process.


BEFORE
What should  I bring?
A photo ID. Also be prepared to answer questions about your medical history.
Am I eligible?
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 year-olds may donate with written parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. There is no upper age limit to donate blood.
Can I donate if I have a tattoo/piercings?
You must wait one full year before donating blood after getting a tattoo, but there is no deferral period for piercings as long as a sterile needle was used!
What if I have traveled/lived outside the country?
This will only matter if you have been to certain parts of Haiti or the Dominican Republic in the last year, or if you were in the United Kingdom for a total of three months or more from 1980 to 1996. Remember Mad Cow Disease?
Should I eat before?
A meal or snack at least two hours before donating is recommended. If you can include iron-rich foods such as spinach, red meat, beans or seafood that's even better!


DURING
How long will it take?
The entire process (registration and medical history, mini-physical, donation, and refreshments) will only take about 45 minutes to one hour.
Will I pass out?
Most donors do not pass out. Just enjoy the snacks ( who doesn't love free food?), hydrate, and stay seated for a few minutes after donating and you will have nothing to worry about!
Will it hurt?
The only pain may be a small pinch when the needle is put in your arm. Afterward, there is no notable sensation while blood is being collected.


AFTER
Where does my blood go?
The blood is first sent to be tested for any transmissible diseases, then sent to hospitals based on need form local distribution centers. All the while, your blood donation is kept at a safe and comfy temperature during it's secure journey.

How long will it be until my blood is replaced?
Blood volume is replaced in 24 short hours! However, you have to wait 56 days to donate again for red blood cells to be replenished.

Any more questions? Visit LifeSouth's website. Hopefully, we have debunked any spooky stories you might have heard about donating blood!

So don't be scared...help save a life donate during the Vampire's Blood Drive!

-The Pledge 5 team

Pledge 5 Foundation and LifeSouth Present Vampire’s Blood Drive

It's finally here!

Tomorrow is the first day of the LifeSouth Vampire's Blood Drive! This vampire-inspired campaign is aiming to fill our local blood banks AND raise awareness about the need for blood donations with wickedly fun events and opportunities to win!

More details about the events are available on the events tab of our Facebook Fan Page.

The blood drive will run from October 15th until the 29th and will go out with a scream at Sharab Lounge on the 29th with Vampire's Ball. Come celebrate the end of the blood drive with costumes, drinks and dancing. On Halloween, October 31st, Pledge 5 will also be hosting the Run for Your Life 5K! Runners will wind their way through campus on a thrilling course including a mile-long Terror Trail. You've never given back to the community like this before!


The Vampire's Ball and Run for Your Life 5K are going to be a perfect end to a successful blood drive, but we have plenty of special contests planned to get your blood pumping during the drive, too! Check our Facebook Fan Page during the drive for details.


The time has finally arrived, so grab your garlic and get ready...The vampires are coming! Donate blood during this year's Vampire's Blood Drive.

--The Pledge 5 Team

Thinking outside the donation box

The most prominent challenge in the non-profit sector is that of fund raising. Everyone has been asked to donate money to support a cause or an organization at some point or another, but honestly, most people are tired of giving only cash. So why not raise something other than funds? How about participation? Awareness? Recognition? When we stop to think about the most crucial needs of a non-profit organization, money is not necessarily number one.

Here are the top five ways you can support your favorite organization without writing a check!

5. Give something you already have.
Donate old clothes, toys, reading glasses, cell phones or even that can of green beans you know you will never eat. Often times your spring cleaning can be an excellent source of items to donate to those who need them most!
4. Support their website and social media.
Many times a charity or non-profit can earn greater amounts from advertisements and sponsors when more people visit their websites and are actively using social media outlets to follow an organization. This is also rewarding because you may connect to other supporters in the community and never miss out on a special event or important update. So get to clicking! If you need somewhere to start, here are a few sites that earn money directly from your clicks:
The Hunger Site
Care2
Free Rice
3. Be an advocate.
One of the best marketing tools is the human voice. Become an advocate by talking to your friends and family about the issue and what an organization is doing to help. Encourage others to not only care, but to become an advocate, too!
2. Participate.
The key to success is support! Become an active member in the efforts of your favorite charities. Whether you choose to attend their special events or share links to their websites with others, increased participation helps a group gain recognition and to be more effective.
1. Volunteer.
Without a doubt, the one thing most non-profits lack is manpower. More valuable than money is your TIME! Email directors and see if they need help with large events, operations, or volunteers to help directly with their cause. Volunteering provides a great sense of fulfillment and extra sets of hands are often the driving force of a non-profit. Volunteer alone, with a friend, or rally your group from school or church to spend an afternoon helping together! Here at Pledge 5 we encourage everyone to give at least five hours a year to service! Make your pledge today!

So there you have it, five great ways to support deserving organizations without spending money. Share your involvement or other ideas by commenting on this blog, the Pledge 5 Facebook fan page or on Twitter!

Before we go, be sure to donate blood during our annual blood drive! One donation can save three lives. Visit Facebook for more information! We need your support to make this event a success.

--The Pledge 5 Team

Non-profits take off with social media

If an issue was a plane, it would be easy to fill its cabin with the ideas, motivation and enthusiasm to find solutions. The plane could take the ideas and move them across the country, even around the globe. However, a plane cannot take flight with an empty tank, so what fuels its engines to move those ideas? In the past it was advertisements and newspaper articles. Today? Social media is the fuel of change.

The purpose of this post is to shed light on the true power of social networks in the fight for change, followed by how Pledge 5 is joining the revolution. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have collectively changed the lives of millions, so let us take a closer look.

BLOGS

The obvious place to begin is the world of blogging. After all, you are reading this one! Blogs provide the opportunity to provide more in-depth information and updates to the public and are the perfect place to centralize links to related pages, such as Facebook or Twitter accounts. More than just informing, blogs can be utilized to increase word-of-mouth between the blogs of individuals. Recently, Pedigree donated one 20-pound bag of dog food to an animal shelter for each time a blog site posted about its adoption program. The result was 375 bags of dog food and a lot more talk about Pedigree. Apparently, a little more talk CAN help walk the walk…or in this case, the dog! 

FACEBOOK

Facebook is an instinctive choice to include in a post about social media. Through the ability to “Like” just about anything on the site, post statuses, share links, and communicate with anyone at anytime, ideas can spread in a viral manner. There is more than just conversation happening on this networking site, though, especially if you happen to be a non-profit organization.

Facebook Causes hosts over 350,000 organizations in over a dozen categories. Facebook users can join causes, donate money and track the most popular causes. To date, over $25 million has been raised for various charities via these easily set-up Cause pages. The last time we looked, the largest Cause was the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which had 1,243,004 members and $1,172,916 donated. By the way, the Pledge 5 Foundation also has a Cause page. The Pledge 5 difference is that we ask for HOURS, not money. Pledge your hours today!

There is a lesser-known aspect of Facebook that has helped raise money for non-profits: Birthday Wish. On a user’s birthday, he or she can sign up and ask Facebook friends to donate to a cause in place of buying a present. When friends are planning on spending money on a gift anyway, this is a feature full of fundraising potential!

TWITTER

Which social network is capable of pinning Ashton Kutcher against CNN in a race to one million followers? Twitter, naturally. In 2009, the world watched as Kutcher finally reached one million, declaring a close victory over CNN. Kutcher was not the real winner, however. Malaria No More received $100,000 from each competitor to purchase life-saving bed nets. At $10 each, the impact was significant. Even more impressive? As of about two weeks ago, the message carried by Malaria No More’s social media campaign had been heard by 174 million people.  The increase in awareness and donations has led Ray Chambers, founder of Malaria No More, to predict that malaria will be no longer be a cause of death by 2015.

When Twitter first began, the public must have thought it was crazy. How can anything be said with only 140 characters per post? However, Twitter has become the ideal tool for non-profits, including Pledge 5 (follow us!), to generate conversation and update followers about special events, promotions and news. Donations can even be directly collected through their Twitter profiles. Short has never been so sweet. 

YOUTUBE

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a video accessible by an international audience worth? 

YouTube has many features tailored to the need of non-profits. Organizations can include call to action overlays and have access to increased uploading capacity. YouTube also has YouTube Video Volunteers, a collection of experienced film makers ready and willing to help organizations create quality videos to post on YouTube. Furthermore, videos can optimize the search task of YouTube with thought-out titles and tags. A great example is the “Michael Jackson in Uganda” video created by Invisible Children. Considering how often the King of Pop is searched by users, the video has high chances of appearing in search results.

The visual aspect of videos can be very powerful, and if used correctly, can raise thousands of dollars in a single day. The UN’s World Food Programme successfully raised $36,000 for World Food Day with its Billion for a Billion video campaign, which encouraged the one billion internet users to help the world’s one billion hungry. Without a doubt, a YouTube video can be the winning act for a non-profit.

 

WHAT ABOUT THE PLEDGE 5 FOUNDATION?

It’s clear that social media is becoming an integral component to the success of non-profits. Pledge 5 is starting several new social media initiatives that we hope will help us raise the number of hours pledged! We have the Twitter account, the Facebook Cause, the Facebook Fan Page, and of course, this blog. We are only missing one ingredient: YOU. Please help us meet our goals! We are hosting competitions from now until December 31^st to increase participation. Our final goal is 400 Twitter followers, 400 Facebook Fans, and 1,000 supporters of our Facebook Cause. 

Our first benchmark is to have 100 fans on Facebook, 100 followers on Twitter, and 250 supporters of our Cause by our Run for Your Life 5K on October 31^st. Here is what you can do: 

First, become a fan of the Pledge 5 Foundation on Facebook, and then invite your friends! Next, join our Cause on Facebook and pledge your 5 hours. If you have another 30 seconds to spare, follow us on Twitter. Lastly, keep reading our blog!

During October you can participate not only in our annual blood drive, the Vampire’s Ball and our 5K, but online you can compete against others in our vampire costume contest! During this month, post a picture of your SCARIEST vampire self to our Facebook page to win a FREE ticket to the Vampire's Ball in downtown Gainesville on October 29th! This will truly be a night to sink your fangs into with dancing,costumes, food and drinks. You can also tweet your image to us @Pledge5. The more followers and fans we have, the more fun our events will be so please support Pledge 5 today! It’s easy, free and will help create change in our community.

Check back later this week to read about our exciting upcoming events for Pledge 5’s annual blood drive. With Halloween around the corner, there is only one thing vampires want…to collect your blood!

-The Pledge 5 Team