Ever want to save the world but not sure where to start? This November, OTP offered up some opportunities to give back and lend a hand for various local charities and organizations with OTP's first ever Yelp Helps. #yelphelps
Yelp's Rock'n Sock Hop: We kicked off at Lucky Draw Tattoo, Marietta, with Ink4Pink benefiting Paulding County Breast Center. Georgia Sweet Kettle Corn and Pork Clouds were both on site giving samples and selling products with a dollar from each purchase donated. Red Hare Brewing donated their excellent root beer for ice cream floats. Artist Meghan Hodges painted temporary tattoos (100% of those proceeds donated) while Lucky Draw gave out some real tattoos. Trevor W asked, "What do you get when you combine a vintage Pink Cadillac and Tats for Tatas? Awesome, sheer awesome!" Lucky Draw held a two week promotion to donate a portion of proceeds from Atlanta or breast cancer / pink ribbon themed tattoos. Through tattoos, raffles and donations from the participating sponsors, we raised over $600 to fund mammograms. That right there is worth learning the Hand Jive!
Sip and Scrub: At Perk-N-Pooch in Sandy Springs we raised money and awareness for Atlanta Lab Rescue. 25% of the day’s sales from regular washes were donated. Dirty pups got clean and feelin’ good as Yelpers raised $150. Raffle items included a pair of tickets from Atlanta Movie Tours valid for the Big Zombie Tour and Atlanta Film Sites! Yelpers enjoyed complimentary Pumpkin Spice Latte samples and D'Lites ice cream. Tanya C dug it even though her paw-some friend couldn't be there, "Great concept. You can bring your puppy in to get a wash (either do it yourself or let them do it for you) and enjoy a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate in my case). I will definitely be bringing my pup in to get some grooming in – they do that too!"
Yappy Hour: At Lucky's Burgers & Brew, in Roswell, we had a Yappy Hour with yappetizers, live music from Joe Erwin, a raffle and 10% of sales from the entire day and the entire menu were donated to Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta. Karie H, her guest and her furbaby Molly enjoyed! "The staff was incredible, they brought us a water bowl for wobbles and some cookies. We didnt see the bites inside, and just went ahead and ordered a couple burgers, both came out perfect." Raffle items included a gift certificate for a portrait session from Leah And Mark & Co., items from GRRA, and chocolate from Chef Brulee. $505 was raised for Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta.
Lift Up: Then, we got together at Crema Espresso Gourmet to collect donations of Thanksgiving Food and Warm Wear Clothing for Lift Up Atlanta, an organization based in Norcross. 15 boxes of dry food, 25 cans/jars, 4 aluminum pans, 2 bags of bread, 2 bags of stuffing, 3 bags of potatoes, 1 bag of clementines, 1 bag of onions, 27 coats, 13 pairs of gloves, 1 scarf and 4 hats were donated to the less fortunate this Winter!
Drink for Radiation Vacation: Jekyll Brewing in Alpharetta, is an ongoing supporter of Radiation Vacation. For this event, half ($6) of every entrance fee was donated, and attendees got a Jekyll souvenir glass, as well. Founder of Radiation Vacation, Janine Slavin, was on site picking our raffle tickets. Prizes included tickets to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (a concert of the winner’s choice), tickets to the Radio City Rockette’s Christmas special at Cobb Energy Center, and tours and schwag from Jekyll. Yelpers played giant Jenga, went on brewery tours, munched pulled pork from Dickey's Barbecue Pit, and grooved along with live music from Shadowood. Amanda D was definitely a fan, "You know what's better than just drinking beer? Drinking beer you've entirely never gotten to try before for a good cause." By the end of the evening, $1105 was raised!
The Giving Grill: Harry's Farmers Market in Marietta sponsored a Giving Grill with local (Thompson Farms) Pork Butt sandwiches, chips and drinks for $5, with 100% of proceeds going to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A representative from cycling event, 24 Hours of Booty, was also on hand with info for the 2014 event. Yelpers raised $185 for CHOA.
In total, Yelp Helps OTP 2013 raised over $2580 for local non-profit organizations!! We finished off the promotion by spending some time with Must Ministries’ Gobble Jog and one of the largest no-kill shelters in Georgia: Furkids. Overall, Yelp Helps created quite a few warm fuzzies and happy hearts. Bravo to all who participated in any way!
Event page:Yelp Helps OTP
'Til next time,
Heidi P
