Ford Fiesta: Calling All Miami Volunteers

[updated]



As part of our fourth Ford Fiesta Miami mission, Brad and I will be spending the day helping Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami on a team build, Saturday, August 22. Ford Fiesta is sponsoring this project by offering a $500 gift to this non-profit organization.

Of course, we'll be offering our sweat equity and we're hoping you'll join us on site to help build a new home.

Brad and I will not be the only Ford Fiesta agents volunteering this month. All 100 agents across the country are involved in their own projects, so if you work with us, you'll also be part of a greater effort to make this nation a better place.

Locally, we'll be contributing toward the completion of a home and helping break the cycle of poverty. Greater Miami's branch is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary and has built 700 homes to date. Numerous beautiful communities have sprung up in some of Miami-Dade's most run-down areas.

Of course, I'll have a full report about everything once the mission is completed.

COME JOIN US!

Bloggers, twitter peeps and all ... not only can you make a difference by hammering a few nails, but also by spreading the word on your social networks. This is a great opportunity to stop bitching about Miami and get down to making change, literally!

There is room for 20 volunteers per construction site.

Register at the Volunteer Hub and type FFT in your join code. You'll also need to bring your own lunch and tools, since we can only sponsor those items for the first five volunteers, and those slots have already been filled up. Details on time, location and tools to be announced after you register.

Again, make sure you type FFT in your join code.

If you're unable to attend, please consider making a donation of furniture, reusable household and construction items to Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. It's better than throwing valuable items into the landfill -- good for our neighbors and good for the earth.

A financial contribution is always welcome, of course. Habitat for Humanity relies on private donations for all its work. There is no government funding.

Miami: Stop Complaining and Get Off Your Ass

The woman who made this also had a boot cast; she had broken her toe. We instantly bonded! She is an artist who works in mosaics and jewelry.

I typically don't like getting into politics, but when my friend Brad told me about the 100 Days of Obama event at Kafa Café in midtown Miami, I was more than happy to attend.

The event was free and a delicious Ethiopian food buffet, as well as drinks, were available at modest prices. Elastic Bond, a great local band, entertained us and Progressive Rags sold Obama merchandise.

Several non-profits were present to create awareness. They weren't after money; they were seeking a commitment of time. About 100 people attended the event and 265 hours of community service were pledged.

Ani Mercedes, an elementary school teacher who volunteered during the Obama election campaign, organized the event.

When I asked her if there was something special about getting politically involved in Miami, her answer was a resounding yes. "There is something special. We had a lot of field organizers creating connections in areas that were small, but extremely well organized," Ani explained. "That wasn't the case in other regions of Florida."

"After the campaign there were a lot of people looking for direction," Ani said. "There was so much energy left over."

All that energy, Ani believes, could be directed to continued efforts in volunteerism: "The organizations at the event have a sustainable, long-term impact on the community."

Here's a list of the organizations and causes that were present (the list and descriptions compiled from Ani's follow-up email):

Environment
ECOMB: Working towards the sustainability of our community’s natural environment.

Urban Development
Miami Workers Center: Working towards welfare reform, affordable housing, tenants and voter rights, racial justice, gentrification and economic development, and fair trade.

Political Activism
North Beach for Progress: Working toward the fair districting of Florida.

Homeless Youth
StandUp for Kids: Working to get homeless and runaway teens off the streets and into safe homes.

Global Poverty
One.org: Working to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa.

I'm very happy to see people like Ani, Brad and all the others representing their non-profits, working hard to make a difference. In my work as a forum editor at Miami Beach 411, I come across people who criticize Miami as a place without culture, full of a bunch of hedonistic, uneducated slobs who only care about fancy cars and who don't speak proper English.

Honestly, such criticism says more about the people doling it out than the city itself. It makes me wonder what circle they're hanging out in ... because it's certainly not mine and that of so many talented and smart people I know in Miami who are devoted to making this community a better place.

Volunteering is a great way to have a direct impact on your city, even if you aren't into politics. And besides, single ladies (and guys!) it's a GREAT way to make new friends.

Are you interested in getting involved? Check out the organizations above or visit Hands on Miami and Imagine Miami.

We've also been discussing volunteerism over at Miami Beach 411.