Yelp-A-Licious!

So anyone who knows me knows that I am a big Yelper. I love the site, I've met so many great people through it and I enjoy everything from the "foodie" Elite events (certain Yelpers get deemed Elite each year based on a number of variables, from frequent reviewing to positive participation in the site and being, as Yelp's tagline is, providers of "real, honest, reviews" of businesses in their local community). It's a pretty cool thing and you can check out my Yelp page here: www.carrienealland.yelp.com.

Yelp just got even cooler in my book, last night, with the Kickoff Party for "Yelp Helps": a month of activities with Yelpers working with over 20 local charities to do good and raise money for great organizations in our fair city. I volunteer with The Junior League of Atlanta and this year am again working with Open Hand (two outstanding Atlanta nonprofits) but was not familiar with most of the participants in this Yelp series.

Last night, we were invited to the Georgia World Congress Center (hadn't been there in ages!) for a night of fun, introduction to the participating charities, and - of course! - food. When these things come together, and the night raises a few thousand dollars before the month of events has even started, how can it not be awesome??

Fun for a good cause!

From learning about two new organizations with whom I definitely want to volunteer - Ahimsa House (visit www.ahimsahouse.org) who work to rescue pets caught in domestic violence situations and find them new and safe homes (I was shocked to learn that more than 71% of domestic violence victims report that their abuser has threatened, harmed or killed their pet!!), to Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption (check out this upcoming event on September 23rd - www.pawsintheparkatlanta.com), I was excited! Yes, I have a love for animals and since I already do other volunteer work with organizations like Open Hand that focus on feeding critically or terminally ill people, and Junior League which focuses on women and children at risk, I look forward to trying something different over the next weeks!

And while we got to peruse the information about all these great organizations, there were "snacks." More than snacks, really - Billy and crew from the awesome Cypress Street Pint & Plate were there (their Philly cheese steak is awesome and they had mini versions plus meatball sliders for us!) and gave coupons out, Maddio's Pizza was there with a blue cheese pizza among other options (more coupons, score!), Googie Burger was in full force with a whole kitchen wagon set up to make full burgers and fries, OMG cupcakes . . . the list goes on. This is why it "pays" to be a Yelper!

This makes my heart happy - we always have fun at Yelp events and there's always good food and fun people, but when you can also party with a purpose . . . that's way cool. Looking forward to a great month of fun, friends, food and new experiences with some of our city's best charity folks!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

P.S. If you're interested in learning more about "Yelp Helps" - visit the Yelp  Atlanta home page  and check the bottom right side of the home page for full details on all the organizations that will be involved, and event dates as they are posted!!

Visit www.yelp.com/atlanta for details!!