National Volunteer Week 2011

At The Mustard Seed there are few things that we value more than unity, our volunteers, and the individual. So we are extremely excited for the week of April 10-16 when we will witness a nationwide movement of individuals push aside their aside differences for the sake of the community.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2011, we hope that you will join us in our efforts to create a healthier society, a more clean environment, and a nation of altruism.

Alone you can make a difference, together we can change the world!

Mattress Recycling = More Usable Mattresses for Families

“So you recycle everything now?! Where do my donations go?!”

I get the question often so, in order to avoid any confusion: 

We recycle to fund our philanthropic programs. 

 Not the other way around.  

And your beautiful gently used donations? They go to families in need in the Central Florida everyday! 

But for the dirty, un-usable items –ya know what? We can save those from the landfills.

Have you heard of win-win situations?

Because this is a perfect example….

If someone called to offer you 600 mattresses for Central Florida Families in need – would you turn them down? Previously, we would have to because 50% of them were un-usable and we had no way to manage a heap of 300 dirty mattresses.  Now with our mattress recycling program we can say an enthusiastic “Yes” to that call and provide 300 mattresses to our families and divert those dirty 300 mattresses from the landfill!

Let’s show them the scoreboard…

Community: 1 // Environment: 1

(okay - so maybe this looks like a tie – but isn’t a tie a win/win? J)

Mattresses are only the beginning of this recycling love-affair.  We now recycle: broken appliances & electronics, cardboard, paper, electronics, Styrofoam, & plastic bottles and the list goes on…

Want to learn more about our recycling efforts?

Why don’t you come celebrate with us?!

We would love to show you what we do!

Let’s Celebrate! Thursday 3.31.11 5:30P – 7:30P

Ribbon Cutting for MATTRESS RECYCLING @ THE MUSTARD SEED

12 Mustard Seed Lane Orlando, FL 32810 - Corner of Kennedy/Keller

SPRING BREAK 2011!

Spring Break...ahhh...the glorious week every student from kindergarten to graduate school yearns for. No worries, no waking up early, and most importantly NO CLASS! For most college students Spring Break serves as the ultimate excuse to throw inhibitions to the wind, bathing suits in an over packed suitcase, and savings out the window--all for the sake of a wild week in some far-off exotic location.

However, some of my collegiate peers decided to take the less tropical route and traveled great distances to spend their Spring Break in a warehouse. That's right, last week the good ole Mustard Seed welcomed 34 college students who devoted their Spring Breaks to helping those in need. Alternative Spring Break gives students the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones by traveling with a group of strangers to engage in daily volunteer work, learn about diverse communities, and live in unfamiliar conditions.

Our first group of students from the Office of Student Inolvement James Maddison University broke a Mustard Seed record by deconstructing 39 mattresses in only 3 hours! WOWZA!

That's a tough act to follow but when the second round of JMU students graced us with their presence they deconstructed a whopping 100 mattresses in 4 1/2 hours! What are they feeding these West Virginians? Pure rocket fuel!?

The 3rd group of Alternative Spring Breakers didn't put forth as much travel time to get here. But let's just say if volunteer efforts were measured in miles, on Monday our friends from the University of West Florida would have traveled from CA and back! Together they deconstructed 50 mattresses!

Aside from mattress deconstruction, last week's volunteers did wonders in the warehouse, dishroom, lenin room, and clothing department! They also compiled over 50 dish sets which will be offered to families when they come to pick up their furniture.
In closing, a personalized letter to each individual Alternative Spring Breaker
Dear (insert name,)
As you transition back into the dreaded almost-there-so-it-seems-like-summer-will-never-come-end-of-the-school-year grind, we hope that you will carry with you the memories you've made at The Mustard Seed. Your efforts have helped us, the local community, and the planet in more ways than you can imagine. Thank you so much for all of your hard work, we really do appreciate and admire the fact that you devoted your Spring Break to helping those in need!

Sincerly,
The Mustard Seed
**Special thanks to Heart of Florida United Way for sending all of these awesome college students our way!!**

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?