The first annual Metro Atlanta Kids Recycle Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Atlanta Civic Center. The Little Green Path Foundation and Live Thrive, both headquartered in Atlanta, are hosting the event focused on showing kids what can be accomplished when we all work together to clean up and recycle. Noteworthy supporters such as Atlanta Falcons player Ovie Mughelli and his Ovie Mughelli Foundation will participate. “We want kids to get excited about recycling,” states Debbie Smith, Executive Director of The Little Green Path Foundation. “If children can see how the items they don’t use or need anymore can be recycled into new products or reused by someone else, hopefully they’ll begin forming positive habits that will last a lifetime,” explains Smith.
“Live Thrive has held a number of recycling events, but we’re especially thrilled to partner with The Little Green Path Foundation and hold this special event just for children and their families,” stated Peggy Whitlow Ratcliffe, Live Thrive Executive Director. “Lots of volunteers will be on hand to collect items and move them along the recycling path.” Although Live Thrive started as a blog, it is now involved with events and projects at all levels of the community, bringing environmental education to our schools with the help of socially responsible corporate sponsors and individuals. “Children not only benefit but they play a key role in making our communities better places to live and thrive,” explains Ratcliffe. “Thanks to our sponsors and concerned citizens, during the past three events we’ve kept over 170,000 lbs. of hazardous materials from entering landfills, and we’re just getting started!”
The Little Green Path Foundation is focused on environmental education for children. Smith has been working with individuals, businesses and other organizations to develop age-appropriate programs, which reach children with a message about their importance in taking care of the earth. As founder of Idbids LLC, an environmental education company built around eco-friendly characters – Scout, Lola and Waverly, Smith is pleased to help lead this first recycling event for children.
Several organizations, including The Ovie Mughelli Foundation, will be participating as strategic partners. The Foundation will take the usable bikes, sports equipment and coats, which will be shared with Atlanta kids in need. Ovie Mughelli, Pro Bowl Fullback for the Atlanta Falcons and NFL’s Greenest Player, according to Earth911.com, has worked through his foundation to spread the message of environmental education and stewardship to the youth of our nation. The foundation supports the overall development of youth socially, mentally and physically by implementing and assisting quality programs that educate youth about the environment.
Sponsors that will make Metro Atlanta Kids Recycle Day possible include Ernst & Young, Global Imports, Elf Magic, Atlanta Hilton, Gorilla Bags and Natural Awakenings Magazine.
Items being collected include electronics, household batteries, coats in usable condition, bicycles in usable condition, sports equipment, plastic toys, old school papers, used coloring books, broken crayons, kids orthopedic equipment, kids books and expired medications. Kids and their families will receive gifts and recycling information at the event and for added fun, Santa and his Elf Magic elves will be there to help with collecting the old toys to be recycled.
For more details about the event visit www.AtlantaKidsRecycleDay.org. For companies, organizations or individuals who would like to participate in sponsoring the event, contact Peggy Whitlow, 404.771.5322.
About The Little Green Path Foundation
The Little Green Path Foundation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a non-profit organization focused on environmental education for children. The organization’s mission is to provide parents and early childhood educators with opportunities and resources to teach young children about taking care of our Earth and to teach that small steps can make a difference in keeping our Earth happy, healthy and green. For more information, visit www.littlegreenpath.org or call 404.277.9816.
About Live Thrive
Live Thrive, a 501(c)3 non-profit, operates as an online platform to raise awareness and money for environment-focused education and community projects. Live Thrive’s goal is to connect people with inspiring local projects and provide them with an opportunity to contribute to the organization’s mission. For more information, visit www.livethrive.org, or call 404.771.5322.
