It's a dog eat dog world out there

Unfortnately, its also a dog beat dog world as pit bulls across the nation are bred and trained to fight one another for the sick entertainment and possible monetary gain of their owners. Obviously not all pit bulls fall into the hands of these types of individuals, but the dogs that do lead tragic and painful lives. After being starved and beated to harness their aggression, pit bulls are dragged into a pit where gladiator-like fights take place.

Luckily there is an organization in The Central Florida area that is taking a stand against this type of abuse by rescuing wounded pit bulls and spreading advocacy on the breed, proper training tactics, and the injustice of pit bull fighting rings.

When our Executive Director, Michelle Lyles, found a pitbull outside of The Mustard Seed warehouse she couldn't help but take him home. Sweetie Pie ((now Ali)) was clearly in need of some nurturing as he had a multitude of scars on his head. Unsure of what to do she contacted Central Florida Pit Bull Rescue .

Ali was then tested on his levels of temperment and food aggression--he passed both with flying colors! He was also very well mannered when introduced to an infant and elderly woman!! Unfortunately, when tested for heartworms the results were also positive. Ali has already suffered tremendously in his young life and now that he is in good hands, he desperately needs treatment for his heartworms. To donate please email Jennifer at CFLPitBullRescue@aol.com

We look forward to supporting Central Florida Pit Bull Rescue by providing them with donated blankets, crates, and pet supplies!

Clean the World + The Mustard Seed = B.F.F.

Volunteer UCF

set up a special day

for local nonprofits

who've got something to say.

Thus began the friendship

to stand up for those in need

between Clean the World

and the Mustard Seed

Stationed right beside me

with their coffee, dougnuts, and soap

was an awesome group of people

fighting to give kids hope.

I had no tasty treats

to entice my hungry peers

but I recieved free soap

to wash away my tears.

At this time I realized,

"These guys are legit!"

I asked them of their mission

to get involved with it.

Washing our hands often,

it may seem like no big deal.

But millions of little children

can't wash up before a meal.

How does one group deal

with such a dyer situation?

You'd need a ton of soap

for even the smallest nation!

Hotels, motels, and cruise lines

donate soap and shampoo.

Then it's cleaned and rebatched

for use by someone new.

Oh Clean the World,

saving lives by making suds.

You've helped over 7 million

wash away bad germs and muds.

I hope you liked your poem

it came straight from the heart.

Feel free to hang it in the office

its a priceless piece of art.

((kidding))

Let us join together

come this Saturday,

to endulge in some pizza

at a local CPK.

....dont forget that flyer!

(which can be found on our website or facebook)

Lo Lesson #6:

-the key to promoting your organization at a job or volunteer fair-

If you find yourself at a table promoting an organization and the neighboring organization has high-tech video footage, food, bevs, and free soap..do not feel discouraged. All of these exciting items will entice people and attract them to your general area. When they walk away feeling satisfied from their doughnuts and energized from their coffee (and excited to use their new soap) they will feel obligated to go to your table too! Yesterday I learned the real secret to success at a job or volunteer fair: strategically place yourself next to the organization with the most stuff, that way you get attention (for free) and you walk away with some free items yourself. Out of office supplies? Sit next to the table with free pens! Left your water bottle at home? You know what to do..

In all seriousness, Clean the World is an awesome organization and I hope we get the opportunity to work with them in the future!

**Special shoutout to Volunteer UCF!**

where the magic happens.

la poem de mattress

It ain't no bed of roses

we've heard that phrase before.

A mattress decomposes

in a thousand years or more.

Back in our warehouse

we deconstruct the beds,

that aren't fit for children

to sleep or lay their heads.

There are things within a mattress

like metal, foam, and wood.

All of these can be recycled

for the planet's greater good.

From sixty mattresses in one day

that we broke down and paired,

thirteen hundred cubic feet

of landfill space was spared.

On that old bed of yours

too many nights you've laid.

Donate it to The Mustard Seed

where the real magic's made.

Lo Lesson #5: Its always a good idea to write a cheesy poem. Not only will you find it easier to free-style in your next rap battle but you will also get your point across in an interesting way. A poem can make almost any situation more fun if you obey the following rules:

-Do not quit your job by writing your boss a poem.

-Do not write "Exams are no fun. BAM, I'm done" on your mid-term.

-Do not write obscene poems on bathroom stalls...its just weird.

-Do not get offended when your cat doesn't respond to your poetry.

-Do not get offended when people don't respond to your cat poetry.

Well here is one last hoorah before I go:

This blog was random-its true

but if you donate your mattress

we have a present for you!

A gift so unique,

you can't buy it in stores

I will write you a poem

that you may call yours!

Don't like my skills? We'll still take your old mattress!

Rough Times

This past week was really rough.

My friend and mentor called it a "growing week".

My beloved 20-year-old cousin passed away last weekend, due to a horrible car accident. It was difficult to deal with because she was such a loving and joy-filled girl. And so young. It came as a big shock. My family was not ready for something like this. Thankfully, we have wonderful friends and a strong community who were there for us. When we were feeling sad and lost, they helped coordinate the funeral, drive people around, cook meals, and most importantly, just be there for us. I can not imagine what my family would have done if we had nobody or no where to turn.

I know that it is times like these when we feel the true love that our family and friends have for us.

It is times like these when we realize how blessed we are.

It is times like these when we find who we truly are.

Reflecting back on this got me thinking about The Mustard Seed and what we do here everyday.

I love working at a place where people can come when they feel like they have nobody to turn to. At times when they are feeling low, we can help to lift them back up and help them get on their feet again. They come to us after very difficult struggles, tragedies, and hardships. Our clients come to us in their time of need and we do our best to take make sure they can keep moving forward. 

We provide comfy beds, kitchen tables, dressers, and warm blankets, but most importantly, we are here.

We are here when they cannot afford a bed for their little girl.

We are here when they are unable to get by on their own.

We are here to help them get through the rough times.

What would my family have done without our friends and community?

What would our clients do without us?

Working Together for a Better Tomorrow

howdy yall!

I don't know if everyone got the chance to catch the State of the Union Address last night but it was quite different from those that came before. Its not everyday that Republicans and Democrats sit side by side at such an event. And although opinions on issues may vary between parties, I for one believe that it was truly inspiring to see those differences pushed aside if even for a short while.

In an age of uncertainty and indifference one thing should remain clear:

as Americans (or humans rather,) we are all in this together.

Let the speech be a lesson to us all. Despite one's race, political party, socio-economic status, or religion we are all entitled to the same unalienable rights. For this reason we should take every opportunity we are given to help out the less fortunate, even if it means stepping out of our precious little comfort zones.

Lo Lesson #4:

Everyone has their own political views and I'm not one to push mine on others. Whether or not you agree with last night's seating arrangement, I hope that you can agree with me on this: the well-being of your neighbor directly affects that of your own. It might seem like a daunting task to work with those who think differently than you but try it and the outcome could be beautiful. As the wise, extremely talented, and awesome in everyway (who just so happens to be my heart's one desire..besides Bradley Cooper..) Dave Matthews once sang:

"To change the world, start with one step. However small, first step is hardest of all."

Let's work together to make this world a better place.

PEACE

Day ON or day OFF?!

I'm talking about MLK day.

How did you remember and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr?
It's amazing what happens when you choose to have a

day ON rather than a day OFF!

Oh yeah... before I go off on a tangent about how awesome the volunteers in the Central Florida Community are, let me introduce myself. I'm Lindsay, I'm a Public Ally and the Public Relations Coordinator here at the Mustard Seed of Central Florida. Aka - I guess you could say I'm Lauren and Laura's "boss" & the girl who picked 2 interns with almost the same name! I put "boss" in quotes because they really don't need one - they are amazing and making a HUGE difference here at The Mustard Seed!

Back to Dr. King & Service...
This year I celebrated the Holiday ON and I couldn't be happier about it!

On Saturday, Public Allies of Central Florida volunteered with Hands On Orlando at Grand Ave Elementary School in Orlando, FL. We built benches, landscaped, and cleaned classrooms. We were very lucky to not only participate in a service event together as allies but also work along side dedicated volunteers from the Central Florida Community. I only wished we could have see the student’s faces Monday morning when they arrived to school.

“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday, at The Mustard Seed we had a group of Hands On Orlando volunteers assist us in three areas of our warehouse. Drum roll please....They sorted, organized and relocated 2,650 lbs of clothing, linen, and household items! Yup, thats over a TON (literally a TON) sorted and organized for the over 100 families that visit The Mustard Seed of Central Florida each month!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered -

You are an amazing inspiration!

These 2 events are only a small sample of the impact volunteers had on MLK day in the Central Florida Communtiy. It’s amazing what a dedicated group of people can accomplish by deciding to have a day ON, instead of a day off.



"Life's most persistent and urgent question is,
'What are you doing for others?' "
— Martin Luther King Jr.

Helping those Outside the Central Florida Community

...i'm backkkk!

Last week I embarked on an adventure to Biloxi, Mississippi with 28 of the most awesome, good-hearted, and hilarious people I know.

Collegiate Challenge: (noun) 1. a trip lasting one week during which Habitat for HumanityUCF members challenge themselves by traveling a minimum of 8 hours on a bus, waking up before sunrise everyday to do manual labor, and most importantly put aside their own interests to help those in need 2. the ultimate bonding experience.

It has been nearly 6 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, yet the way it affected both the coastal infrastructure and the lives of those who call these shores home is still incredibly apparent. While sharing their stories, members of the community all referenced periods of their lives as "before (or) after the storm" as if Katrina was a common life experience like graduating from high school or getting your first car. Although Katrina brought extreme deprivation to this area, the unity between members of the community is astonishing and its something we will never truly be able to comprehend.

The houses our group worked on were set on stilts to minimize potential flood damages from future storms. Working at such great heights was a challenging first for many of the us on this trip, but at the same time it made our accomplishments seem even greater!

Before:

After:

As Treasurer of HabitatUCF this was my 4th Collegiate Challenge. Although each experience and location has been different, its safe to say that our journey to Mississippi changed my life in ways that are pretty much indescribable. As one of the leaders of this trip, I not only had to look out for my own fun and safety but also the well being of what I consider now to be 28 of my closest friends. It was beautiful to see how much relationships and outlooks on life can change over the course of one week.

My welcome back from The Mustard Seed... 300 mattresses to unload andddd...

MY OWN CARDS!

Lo Lesson 3:

What Tim the Tool Man Taylor never told us:

If you think it is a good idea to get crafty with a table saw, think again. The piece of wood you are trying to cut a little triangle out of (to give to your site leader as a gift) may be too short for you to "steady" without sawing off your fingers. This is simply because you are not only steadying the wood you are also holding it down so it doesn't shoot off at the speed of light in the direction your closest friend (just like you would see on an episode of Tool Time.)