“Be the change you want to see in the world” ~~ Mahatma Gandhi
In conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Earth Day New York launched the E campaign in 2010. The campaign was designed to give Earth Day a fresh face, draw new people into the environmental movement and inspire everyone to take positive action for the planet. Lansing, Michigan was one of a select few cities to participate in the inaugural B the E campaign.
In 2010, EDay Lansing worked with a variety of non-profits, government agencies, colleges, small businesses, and local residents to host events over a three-day period. Some of the highlights and accomplishments of the Lansing project included:
Distributed 2,000 Michigan White Pine seedlings on the lawn of the Capitol
Distributed 1,000 reusable Earth Day Lansing tote bags
Hosted Goodwill Clothing Donation Drives on LCC’s Downton Campus
Hosted 2 nights of Food Donation Drives for West Michigan Food Bank
Contributed $3,000 to Old Town Commercial Association
Hosted community conversations on Climate Change & Bio-fuels
Earth Day Lansing 2011 – April 22 & 23 – begins with The Old Town Spring Scrub where volunteers will be working on a variety of projects. In addition to giving the area a good clean scrubbing, we will be collecting and sorting waste/recycling, painting new murals and re-painting Old Town signage, prepping flower beds and the community garden, cleaning up the riverbanks, and much more! We’ll also be hosting a battery recycling event where you can exchange a used battery for a Michigan white-pine seedling.
While our core mission is service to community and planet, we also appreciate celebrating the progress we’ve made and the future to which we’re contributing. Following Friday’s day of service, we will be hosting Laugh with a Purpose; an evening of local comedians and entertainers at the Temple Building of Old Town. Featuring one of Lansing’s favorite funny-gals, Kathie Dunbar, 100% of proceeds from this event will benefit the Old Town Commercial Association and Lunch with a Purpose. General admission tickets are $15 and VIP tickets are $20. Tickets may be purchased at the OTCA office, retailers throughout Old Town, and at the door.
