As you know from last week’s announcement, I’m one of eight competitors in the Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge. I’m in competition starting today and running through Friday with seven other online influencers in seven other cities to see who can A) Average the best miles per gallon each day in our super-cool Ford F-150 EcoBoost trucks; B) Get the most votes on Facebook; and C) Drive the most volunteers to our community service project activity. That community service project is this Saturday and I’ve chosen what I’m going to ask Louisville to join me in doing to help our community.
This Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., we’re going to meet at Chickasaw Park in far West Louisville and help the Olmsted Parks by cleaning up a build up of river and stream trash and debris, as well as pick up public trash around the park. (Wear long pants and socks.) The more volunteers, the better — for the clean up and for winning the competition, so plan on coming out for a beautification and clean up day. I’ve talked with Olmsted Parks officials and Chickasaw is in need of a cleanup. We can use the Ford F-150 Eco Boost to bring supplies and refreshments for the volunteers, as well as take the recyclables we find to the recycling center.
I chose helping the Olmsted Parks for a couple of reasons — and believe me, there were so many awesome possibilities I almost felt guilty picking anything. First, while I think we all understand that big trucks like the Ford F-150 are never really going to be considered environmentally fabulous, the EcoBoost reduces the carbon footprint for the average truck enthusiast. It lists at 22 miles per gallon on the highway. It’s a step in the right direction and I’m thankful Ford knows that there will always be a need for a good pick up truck, but we need better ones that are better for Planet Earth.
Second, and more importantly in my mind, one of Louisville’s bright, shining attractions is its green space and parks. In my time in this city, I’ve frequented Cherokee, Seneca and Shawnee, all of which are within the Olmsted Parks footprint. I’ve never been to Chickasaw, but have heard that it’s beautiful. Anything I can do to help clean and preserve the beauty of this city for its residents and visitors is a good thing. This is an opportunity to do that.
So I want you to join me!
Saturday morning at 9 a.m., we’ll meet in front of the Chickasaw Park Lodge (across from the tennis courts) where Olmsted Parks staff members will coordinate and direct us to clean up the park and separate out the recycling. The Family-O-Falls will be en tow and I’m going to spend most of the week drumming up some interest and support from Ford employees and dealers in the area, as well as the public through some media appearances and the like. I’ll also be wearing out my social channels to get folks there, too.
Consider it a Green Tweet-Up. We’ll all feel good pitching in!
And don’t forget to help Louisville (and me) win the Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge! Vote for me on Facebook everyday this week. And tell your friends to as well. Tweet or post the link on Facebook or Google+ and tell your friends to help out. If we win, Shell will open two stations in Louisville on Labor Day weekend for two hours and 22 minutes and give everyone who can make it through up to 15 gallons of gasoline for FREE!
Plus, we’ll make Denver, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, Kansas City, Orlando, San Diego and Houston look bad. Werd.
See you Saturday! Let’s clean up!
Register so we can get a head count here:
SME Paid Under
About the Author
