This is a teacup from the Teacup ride at Walt disney world. Looks harmless enough, doesn’t IT?
I got off of there feeling green and woozy. That’s because the teacup had some help spinning around. Here are the two culprits, who thought that spinning it as fast as it could go was really funny, as was the look on my face. Poor Diva didn’t feel any better. In fact, she actually looked green for a minute.
I frequently receive email from companies asking me to share news or discounts with my readers. Each week I’ll gather the best requests and share them with you here.
HopeLine Program Collected More Than 1 M Phones for Domestic Violence Survivors
MORE THAN 1 MILLION PHONES DONATED TO VERIZON WIRELESS’ HOPELINE PROGRAM IN 2009
69 Million Minutes of Service and $1.6 Million in Cash Grants Provided to Help Survivors of Domestic Violence
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – For the third consecutive year, Verizon Wireless collected more than 1 million no-longer-used wireless phones through its HopeLine® phone recycling and reuse program, keeping them out of landfills and turning them into support for domestic violence survivors.
Throughout 2009, HopeLine collected nearly 1.1 million old cell phones from consumers and businesses that donated phones, batteries and accessories at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores; by mail using the online postage-paid label; or at phone drives nationwide held by law enforcement partners, entertainment venues and corporations. These donations enabled HopeLine to distribute nearly 23,000 phones with 69 million free minutes of service to almost 600 shelters nationwide for use by clients and award $1.6 million in cash grants to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs.
“Thanks to everyone who gave their old cell phones to HopeLine in 2009. Your actions not only helped us make an impact on the environment, but they also enabled us to fund cash grants to more than 400 non-profit organizations nationwide,” said Dan Mead, chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless. “As HopeLine enters its 15th year, Verizon Wireless remains committed to continuing the momentum we have built to assist those in need and raise consciousness that healthy relationships are important.”
Exclusive to Verizon Wireless, HopeLine accepts no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The phones are either refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound way. Proceeds are used to provide wireless phones with free airtime to survivors and to contribute grants to further the efforts of non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country. Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 6.7 million phones; awarded more than $7.9 million in cash grants to prevention and awareness programs nationwide; and donated more than 90,000 HopeLine phones with 300 million minutes of airtime to victims, survivors and domestic violence organizations.
For more information on Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program and to learn how to donate a wireless phone, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.
AutoMD
According to a recent car owner survey and national analysis of auto repair shops across the country, 88% of car owners feel overcharged on auto repair, and on average customers end up overpaying by at least 10%. AutoMD puts consumers in control of the confusing car repair process, from diagnosis to pricing to repair, by providing step-by-step information for beginners and pros alike, all within a complete, intuitive, and user-friendly experience (more info). Visit www.automd.com for more information.
Coca-Cola teams with Facebook to help Boys and Girls Clubs
Through a special partnership with Facebook, Coca-Cola is giving people a simple, fun way to contribute to the Boys & Girls Clubs and a chance to view a sneak peek of one of their Super Bowl spots. Visitors to the Live Positively tab on the Coca-Cola Facebook fan page (www.livepositively.com/gift) can share a special “virtual gift” with friends and family that will trigger the following:
* Coca-Cola makes a one-dollar donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America
* Gift recipients receive a special Coca-Cola bottle image, which is displayed on their Facebook page and newsfeed, reminding them and others they can also share virtual gifts
* Gift-givers receive a 20-second sneak preview of one of two new Coca-Cola ads that will debut during the Super Bowl broadcast on February 7, 2010 (once game day arrives, gifters receive both ads in their entirety before their TV debut later that evening
Also, Coca-Cola will match every dollar contributed to the Boys & Girls Clubs (up to a total contribution by Coca-Cola of $150,000) and donate two My Coke Rewards points for every one point donated between now and February 15th: http://www.livepositively.com/#/bgca
The Boys and Girls Clubs have helped bring about so many success stories during its existence, and here is one from Academy Award winner Denzel Washington: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYJJh_6QKg
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to review some really cool things since I started blogging. One of the things my kids enjoy is video games. I have been wanting to do something with them and the hubby - something we can do as a family. I got the idea for the Game Review Network a year ago. Finally as 2010 began I decided it was time to try and make my vision a reality.
The Game Review Network is a network of bloggers that will focus on video games. Members will have the opportunity to review games and gaming accessories on their own site and the network site will carry excerpts from all campaigns. I envision the site as a resource for consumers and publishers, as well as folks from the PR and marketing fields.
I consider myself very fortunate to have a group of talented, personable bloggers in the network. The first group of members of the Game Review Network are:
I am thrilled that these ladies think the idea was feasible enough to join and I look forward to working with them on some fun campaigns. I hope you’ll check out the site, and that you’ll find it useful.
I was called the cat lady when I was about 12 because I had a cat that followed me to the bus stop.
Merry Christmas!
May you have a safe and happy holiday.
I frequently receive email from companies asking me to share news or discounts with my readers. Each week I’ll gather the best requests and share them with you here.
EVENFLO HOME SAFETY MAKEOVER CONTEST
Evenflo is sponsoring a Home Safety Makeover contest with Alison Rhodes, the Safety Mom. Below are some details about the contest.
From December 1, 2009 through January 15, 2010, enter the Evenflo Home Safety Makeover Contest by telling your story, in 500 words or less, about how you can benefit from a Home Safety Makeover in the New Year at www.evenflo.com/homesafetymakeover. The Grand Prize winner will receive a home safety consultation with Alison Rhodes, Evenflo gates and other home safety products (valued at nearly $2,500!) tailored to your home and family’s needs. Five lucky runners-up will receive an Evenflo Symphony65™ car seat, valued at $199, to help your baby stay safe on the road.
To jump start your safe holiday season, keep these tips in mind:
· Always anticipate the unexpected, and stay one step ahead of your little ones.
· Consider children’s ages and developmental stages. Baby-proofing is not a project you can do and forget about it. Be vigilant; continuously monitor your baby’s developmental stages.
· Gates can provide safety zones within your home where you can keep a closer eye on baby, while helping to prevent him or her from wandering into harm’s way
FOOT LOCKER HOLIDAY GIFT CARD REWARD PROGRAM
This month, Foot Locker is offering gift givers the opportunity to cash in on their holiday gift giving with a gift card reward program. For every $50 worth of gift cards purchased in-store or online, customers get a bonus in the form of a $10 Reward Card.
The promotion runs from November 30 until December 20, 2009 (while supplies last). Customers can then redeem the Reward Cards in-store or online between December 26, 2009 and January 30, 2010.
Gift cards can help alleviate the stress of holiday shopping:
* No need to “Handle with Care:” With increased gas prices and travel fares, it may be difficult to see everyone over the holidays. Gift cards are easy to ship and won’t break in the mail.
* Hard to please teens…Would LOVE a Foot Locker gift card. It’s a gift that is tailored just for them. A gift card means more time in the mall, more time with friends, and a gift they will be proud to have in their closet because they chose it!
* Holiday grab-bag: The value of a gift card can be customized to fit your group gift-giving event. No hassles, no fuss, no disappointment!
* To add an extra personal touch, garnish this holiday gift with a shoelace bow, or package with a pair of fun printed socks. Keep in mind, gift cards are, in fact, a personal gift. It tells the recipient, “I know where you like to shop, so go to one of your favorite stores and pick the perfect gift that you will love.”
Details of program listed here:
http://www.footlocker.com/promotion/promoId:5001288/footlocker-gift-cards/
SPRINT HOLIDAY DEALS
Here’s the last round of Holiday phone deals from Sprint. Users can access more details, and purchase the phones on http://holiday.sprint.com/
The Deals:
* LG LX370: FREE starting 12/6/2009 – 12/25/2009
* Samsung ReClaim: FREE starting 11/30/2009 – 1/3/2010
* Sierra Wireless 598U (Mobile Broadband Card): FREE starting 11/1/2009 – 1/9/2010
* RIM Blackberry Curve: BUY 1 GET 1 FREE starting 11/1/2009 – 1/9/2010
Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association’s Real Christmas Tree Twitter Giveaway
This holiday season, the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association will be celebrating the family tradition and environmental benefits of a real Christmas tree by giving away Christmas trees to four of their lucky Twitter followers. To be eligible to win a real Christmas tree (via a $40 gift card), just follow the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association on Twitter: @getrealtrees. Followers will be instructed to retweet posts for a chance to win a real tree. For full contest rules visit: http://twitpic.com/rmzhk
I frequently receive email from companies asking me to share news or discounts with my readers. Each week I’ll gather the best requests and share them with you here.
The Ultimate Zappos Challenge
Zappos is launching their ultimate challenge on Polyvor.com. Here you will have access to their dream closet full of Zappos products from dresses, designer jeans, workout wear, great accessories, and of course shoes from hundreds of designer brands. Users are encouraged to mix and match their favorite products and brands to create their own trendy collage. If you think you are the next star stylist, you readers can share your collages via Facebook, on blogs, and more!
Zappos will select three winners and these winning fashionistas will receive a Zappos shopping spree!!! Winners will receive a $500, $300 or $200 Zappos gift card to turn their collaged outfits into a reality. The winners will be chosen by Zappos fashion gurus based on creativity and use of Zappos product. Please let your readers know that the contest runs from November 24 – December 7 – so get styling!
BOX TOPS MARKETPLACE
A ONE-STOP ONLINE SHOP TO FIND HOLIDAY GIFTS AND GIVE BACK
The Box Tops for Education® Online Shopping Mall Makes Gift Selection Easy Through Interest Profiles and Helps Stretch Holiday Dollars by Giving Back to Schools
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., (Nov. 24, 2009) – Box Tops for Education is making this year’s holiday shopping easier and more rewarding through the introduction of its newly enhanced Marketplace (www.btfe.com/marketplace). More than 120 popular online retailers have partnered with the fundraising program to donate a percentage (up to 15 percent) of each purchase made through the Box Tops Marketplace to schools enrolled in Box Tops for Education. Holiday gift selection also is made simpler through the site’s new holiday gift guide, providing gift suggestions for everyone on your list, organized by kid or adult and by hobbies—from the gamer, to the princess, to the book worm.
“With as much joy as the holidays bring, this can be a stressful time for shoppers who are trying to find the perfect gifts, without spending countless hours driving from store to store or scouring malls and Web sites,” said Kimmra Hingher, Box Tops for Education Manager. “The Box Tops Marketplace is a one-stop destination to easily navigate your favorite stores and to find gifts that match your family and friends’ areas of interest. It’s a win/win situation for parents, as every purchase is also a gift for your school to help support your child’s education.”
As shoppers look to stretch their dollars this holiday season, the Box Tops Marketplace provides an opportunity to give back without spending extra. Last year, comScore estimated $846 million was spent in e-commerce purchases on CyberMonday, and experts anticipate that figure will increase this year. “If online shoppers simply shopped where they normally would shop on CyberMonday, but through the Box Tops Marketplace, we could earn millions for our kids’ schools in just one day,” added Hingher. Each participating Box Tops for Education school can earn up to $20,000 per year through the Box Tops Marketplace.
Some of the participating Marketplace retailers include: Target; Walmart; Kmart; Shutterfly; Overstock.com; Nordstrom; The Home Depot; Circuit City; Best Buy; Sears; JC Penney; Victoria’s Secret; Kohl’s; Old Navy; Gap; FAO Schwarz; Disney Store; Barnes & Noble; Harry & David; Lillian Vernon; FTD; The Red Envelope; 1-800-FLOWERS; Crate and Barrel; Under Armour; The Container Store and Avon.
Shoppers can sign up to receive exclusive deals and discounts through a Box Tops Marketplace email. Followers of Box Tops for Education on Twitter (www.twitter.com/btfe) and fans of the program on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BoxTopsForEducation) will also have access to special offers throughout the holiday shopping season.
In addition, Box Tops for Education is giving away a gift a day for 30 days, from November 16 to December 15, 2009. Registered users of www.btfe.com can enter each day for a chance to win a gift basket filled with a gift card to use at the Box Tops Markeplace, learning supplies from the new My Class EssentialsTM classroom registry (www.myclassessentials.com) and a selection of favorite Box Tops products.
Stonyfield Yogurt - Special promotion for yogurt fans - free reusable cup with purchase of 4 quart containers!
We are now rewarding our consumers for buying our yogurt in quarts with a free reusable yogurt cup!
“When consumers buy our quarts instead of single-serving cups, they pay less for their yogurt, but we know that a quart is not as convenient as single-serving cups for on the go consumption,” says our President and CE-Yo Gary HIrshberg. “The reusable yogurt cup gives our quart buyers the convenience of the Stonyfield 6 oz cups by providing a way to create easily transportable single servings for anywhere, anytime.”
Yogurt lovers just have to buy four Stonyfield yogurt quarts through December, and mail in the foil lids (describing this offer), and they’ll receive the reusable, eight-ounce yogurt cup made by Preserve®. Made from 100% recycled plastic, the cup is perfect for yogurt-lovers on the go, the ideal size for breakfast or a snack, with room to stir in fruit or granola. It’s dishwasher safe, BPA-free with a screw-on lid – and it’s made in the US.
Consumers will also get $4.50 worth of Stonyfield and Preserve coupons along with the cup.
Our recycling partner since 2000, Preserve uses innovative methods to turn used materials (including used Stonyfield yogurt cups) into stylish, useful household products like toothbrushes, colanders, cutting boards and tableware. Preserve products are 100% recycled and recyclable too.
Consumers can mail clean foil lids, with name, address and phone number on an index card or 4” x 6” sheet of paper by February 28, 2010 to:
Stonyfield Farm
Reusable Cup Offer
PO Box 4840
Manchester, NH 03108-4840
Cups will be shipped starting in January, 2010 with delivery in 10 to 12 weeks. This offer is good only in the US, while cup supplies last, and is limited to one cup per household (to better spread the love around).
