Broadlands Volunteer Gets Recognized

Scroll down to the bottom to see Broadlands Volunteer, Oya Simpson, being recognized as a finalist in Terracycle's "Make a Difference Mom". She was submitted by supporters from Northern Virginia's very own NWF.
Please vote for her for all she's done for the community.​

Make A Difference Mom Finalists
Thanks for sending in all those entries! It was tough to choose finalists - there are tons of Moms out there doing incredible things for their families and in their communities - but we've narrowed it down to four finalists. Now we need your help! Check out the four finalists below and vote for the ultimate Make a Difference Mom here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C996JST

The Winner will receive the following:
-Ziploc® Brand prize pack
-TerraCycle® prize pack
-$1,500 to reward herself or to further her community efforts
-Video camera to document her experience



Kristy Medina
My daughter, Kristy Medina, is a real make a difference mom! Kristy recycles EVERYTHING! Kristy hosted Earth Day for the city of Chelmsford, this year, for free. Every vendor's product had to be good for the environment. Kristy, a stay at home mom with 2 boys, started a TV show called, It's Easy Being Green, on the public network in her town, where she shows people how to make things out of stuff you would normally throw away. She teaches classes for girl scouts, senior centers & public libraries on how to recycle. She's on the green committee in Chelmford also. At her house everything either hits the compost center or has it's own bin, to be used later. Kristy is a graduate of Moore College of Art and design in Philadelphia, Pa. You can check out her web page textiles4you.blogspot.com. ~Sue Giroud






Amy B. Barsanti
I respectfully present this mom to be a nominee
She really makes a difference, and she happens to be me
As a teacher, I instill compassion and awareness
Of life in all its many forms, for universal fairness
As a mom, I teach my girls to serve and value learning
Rewards bestowed intrinsically, a different kind of earning
When we travel, we go gently, learn how different people live
We bring back life experience that we in turn can give
Locally to those whose opportunities and dreams
Have limits that make living them much harder, so it seems
The impact I have globally begins with lives I touch
Rippling outward with the help of technology and such
My class takes virtual field trips everywhere we’d like to stay
We have soldiers and other pen pals from places far away
I creatively recycle, and got my start with “Terra”
I turn trash to arts and crafts and things to use and wear.
A Friend of gardens, composting, directing children’s plays
Senior Center, 4-H, Scouts, church, work- make such great days
My passion is to touch and teach the children to teach others
Empathy and tolerance, for our sisters and our brothers
I’m happiest when busy; my life is far from calm
I hope that you’ll consider me as “Make a Difference Mom”
Our quiet corner, the entire world, has so much at stake
And with fifteen hundred dollars, there’s more difference I could make!
-Amy B. Barsanti




Gina Adams-Levy
Multi-tasking is second nature for moms -- feed family (and pets), transport kids to school and social activities, help with homework, clean, wash clothes, volunteer, pay bills, exercise(?), earn an income and keep everyone happy. Who has time to be green?

I do. Three years ago I discovered my recycle center did not recycle garden plastic or any #5 polypropylene. This ignited a deep concern. I resolved the planet needs more advocates. There is a lack of awareness of how actions affect the planet. It is not because people don't care - they just don't understand the importance of curbing consumption. My goal is to keep the planet healthy so our kids can continue to enjoy nature.

So, I launched the non-profit Peace, Love & Planet (PLP) and organized our elementary Green Team. PLP conducts engaging children's workshops promoting environmental awareness. To date, I have taught over 4,200 kids the importance of protecting the earth and its resources. Our school Green Team implemented Waste-Free Fridays in the cafeteria, which incudes composting, recycling and learning that collectively we can make a difference. Last year we achieved the Michigan Green School award.

PLP's summer initiative is recycling garden plastic destined for a landfill. We collect at farmers markets and have recovered over 30,000 lbs. of plastic! This is not a small achievement. I invest over 375 volunteer hours a season collecting, sorting, and preparing plastic for recycling.

Have I made an impact? I sure hope so. Planet stewardship is vital.
~Gina Adams-Levy, Mom, Wife and Planet Advocate




Oya Simpson
Oya Simpson is an extraordinary mom in Broadlands, Virginia. Oya is the team leader of Broadlands' successful Community Wildlife Habitat project. Broadlands is one of only forty-eight communities in the nation that have received this designation from the National Wildlife Federation®, and it is largely because of Oya’s efforts. The community has made it a priority to provide wildlife habitat in backyards, schools and common areas, and has educated its residents about how to help its wildlife neighbors.

Broadlands earned its certification in 2008, and then Oya took her work from the community to the county level. In 2009, she founded the first ever EarthDay@Loudoun Family Festival, a county-wide Earth Day celebration based in Broadlands. In 2010, there were over 100 exhibitors and 6000 attendees.

Oya created the BroadlandsNaturally.org website to showcase the community's projects, to provide information about eco-friendly living, and to inspire other communities. She also started three annual events in Broadlands: a Native Plants Sale, an America Recycles Day Family Contest and a Columbus Day Campout.

Oya also volunteers teaching Nature and Sustainability at her daughter's school. She and the children are putting in native plant and vegetable gardens. This past September, she received the Piedmont Environmental Council's "Conservation Leadership Award."

Oya is the mother of 19 and 13-year-old sons and a 6-year-old daughter. All her work is done as a volunteer. Oya is a mom who makes a difference in Broadlands, Loudoun County and beyond.



Vote for your favorite Make a Difference Mom before 1/26/2011 here: <A onmousedown='UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this), "1ef53", event);' onclick="(new Image()).src = '/ajax/ct.php?app_id=6009294086&action_type=3&post_form_id=455561325220eee7e22e2062fbaad693&position=16&' + Math.random();return true;" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C996JST" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C996JST

Ziploc Brand products and TerraCycle want to celebrate moms around the country who are taking steps to make a difference for the environment and their communities. Tell us how the mom you are nominating engages in activities designed to help protect the environment and they could be the next "Make a Difference" Mom!

One grand prize winner will receive the title of “Make a Difference Mom”, a TerraCycle prize pack, a Ziploc prize pack, $1,500 to reward herself or her community and a video camera to document her experience.

Contest is now closed to submissions. Please vote for finalists here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C996JST
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Be sure to go vote for her at this link before the voting closes:

http://www.facebook.com/TerraCycle?v=app_6009294086

 

Awesome! I voted!

And I'm a total dork cause I thought Oya was a gentlemen

Extra cool points for being a mom making a difference! Thanks for all you do :happybounce:

 

I voted!

 

Me, too!

 

Oya gets my vote!

 

Yay, thanks to all of you supporting a fellow Broadlanders!

 

Glad to have fans in Broadlands and they are the best.. Lori, without your help big things can't happen...

See you all at the "Composting Workshop"

 

Only 3 days left to vote for Oya! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C996JST

 

voted!!