“Even though all of the ideas are in you can still be a big supporter of communities in the Gulf by voting for the ideas you think are the best.  People’s votes really matter and I encourage people to look through all of the ideas.  This can be a lot of money in the hands of very deserving ideas.” – Ben Jervey, Planet Ambassador, Pepsi Refresh Project

Idea Makers Get Their Chance to Help Gulf Communities
Pepsi and the Pepsi Refresh Project, thank you.  You’ve stepped up quickly and we’re glad to see that you’re building on what you’re already doing to lend extra support to Gulf communities.  The aftermath of the oil spill is going to affect communities in the Gulf for a long time; glad to see you didn’t waste any time getting started.  And thank you for knowing that the best ideas to help communities often come from the people who know and love these places.  We can’t wait to see what happens from your support.

For anyone who hasn’t heard, the Pepsi Refresh Project is giving away an extra $1.3 million towards ideas that benefit communities affected by the oil spill in the Gulf.  The first phase is completed with 1,000 new submissions focusing on ideas to help Gulf communities accepted from Monday, July 12 at noon ET to Friday, July 16 at noon ET.   Submissions are now in and the window is closed.  People with ideas have had their chance to submit.

Everyone Gets A Chance to Vote on the Most Inspiring Ideas Starting August 2
Now it’s time for the rest of us to do our part.   Starting on August 2, ideas can be reviewed and voted on by the public on the PepsiRefresh site.  After voting, the ideas with the most votes will be reviewed by Pepsi and Pepsi Refresh partner organizations GOOD and Global Giving to ensure ideas meet Pepsi Refresh standards and criteria.  Those with the most votes that meet criteria will receive support.  At that point idea makers will get needed support to put their ideas in place.

Ben Jervey, Planet Ambassador Talks About Doing Good for the Gulf
KissMyCountry caught up with Ben Jervey, Planet Ambassador for Pepsi Refresh to talk about the Do Good for the Gulf program.  We spoke with Ben earlier this year and it was great to talk with him again.  As usual, Ben’s heart, wisdom, support for our planet and respect for people and their ideas came through as we spoke.

“It’s everyone’s sense of duty.  Everyone wants to do whatever they can to help”, says Ben.  “It’s very exciting to see a company of this size be so agile.  We’re going to see ideas come from people themselves.  We’ll get to hear what communities need.”  When asked what kinds of ideas he expects to see from submissions, Ben said that he is constantly surprised and expects to be surprised this time as well.  “I’ve learned that there are some incredible ideas that I personally never would have thought of.  Communities in the Gulf have a better sense of what communities need.”

Ben does encourage everyone to take a look at this special group of Gulf submissions starting on August 2, and vote on the ideas you think are best.   “Even though all of the ideas are in you can still be a big supporter of communities in the Gulf by voting for the ideas you think are the best.  People’s votes really matter and I encourage people to look through all of the ideas.  This can be a lot of money in the hands of very deserving ideas.”

Working Together for Positive Change
Ben, thank you for talking to KissMyCountry.  We wish you all the best as you review submissions, wait for the votes to come in, and then put the chance for action into the hands of the idea makers and their communities.  We’ll be looking at the Gulf submissions as well and talking about the ideas that most inspire us.  All of us are concerned about what’s happened in the Gulf, and we appreciate the chance to do something together for positive change.