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Planting for the FutureRaising Awareness for the Benefit of Healthy Eating

Prepared by:Rania AboellhasanSteven Buchner Cara DoughertyKent Escara Monica Garza Saenz Yeabkal Sebsie

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

March 13, 2015Dallas Regional Chamber City of Dallas1601 Bryan Street, Suite M-200Dallas, TX 75201

Dear Chamber Members:The attached report describes the need for the Planting The Seeds event, and the impact it will have on the community. This report will show that our group, teamed with our sponsor Central Market, is a worthy recipient for the Businesses Gives Back award.The report will outline: The need for the Planting the Seeds event The full event details including: location, all costs, and logistics The direct and indirect effect it will have on the community

Primary research consisted of conducting a survey to 200 UT Dallas students to determine the need for the event, location scouting at The University of Texas at Dallas, contacting Central Market, The University of Texas at Dallas radio station, The University of Texas at Dallas Alumni Association, The University of Texas at Dallas Community Garden, Versa Printing, and Hyenas Comedy Nightclub. Secondary Research included visiting the United States Department of Agricultures website, Central Markets website, and The University of Texas at Dallas website. Results of this research, discussed more fully in this report, indicate that there is a need for this event, and that it will benefit the community by raising awareness for the UTD Community Garden and by promoting living a healthy lifestyle.

We would be pleased to discuss this report and its conclusions with your Chamber at your request. My group and I thank you for your consideration and your confidence in our ability to win the Business Gives Back award.

Sincerely, X dMonica GarzaUT Dallas Student

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL1TABLE OF CONTENTS2PROJECT OVERVIEW3BACKGROUND INFORMATION3Background on the Community Garden3Research3GOALS AND OBJECTIVES4PROJECT DETAILS4Sponsor5Student Organizations5Event Details5Event Itinerary6Promotional Strategy7BUDGET7EVALUATION7FUTURE GOALS7APPENDIX ONE: CENTRAL MARKET LETTER OF INTENT8APPENDIX TWO: UTD RADIO LETTER OF INTENT9APPENDIX THREE: HYENAS LETTER OF INTENT10APPENDIX FOUR: TEE SHIRT DESIGN11APPENDIX FIVE: FLYER DESIGN12APPENDIX SIX: BUDGET13

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Healthy living is more than just a social trend; it is a way of life. Central Market promotes living a healthy natural lifestyle now and well into the future. Together with Central Market and The Business Gives Back foundation, we will organize a campus event to raise awareness about the community garden and about the benefits of eating organically grown, natural foods.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Although much research has been done to prove the benefits to eating naturally grown food, many people still eat processed or fast foods. The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has an enrollment of 19,925 students, and it is important to educate these students on the positive impact that living a healthy lifestyle will have on them.

Background on the Community Garden

In 2006, a group of UTD scholars founded the student organization known as the community garden. The mission of the community garden at UTD is to promote a sense of community through the shared interest and participation in cultivating a garden. A majority of the food grown in this garden is donated locally to help feed those in need. When it was in the early stages of development, the garden depended on funding and support from the alumni fund, as well as from student affairs. In the most recent years, the garden is now overseen by the office of student volunteerism. The garden is free of charge and open to any currently enrolled student at UTD on a first-come, first-served basis.

Research

As part of our research, we conducted a survey to provide us with information about our fellow classmates lifestyle and diet on campus. This study was also done to examine the direct and indirect impact of the event on the communityResults of the survey:

51% know about the community garden 45% know exactly where it is 50% of students make their lunch from home 34% eat on campus food The majority of those surveyed would prefer to attend an event on campus if there was a comedian performing

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Planting the Seeds aims to raise awareness of the community garden, the benefits of the garden, and the benefits of eating well. We will show people that living a healthy lifestyle is attainable, even with a busy schedule. The event will:

Raise awareness of the community garden- UTD has a community garden that is accessible to all students Raise awareness of the benefits of eating fresh:

Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. Eating a diet rich in some vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain types of cancers. Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Eating vegetables and fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss. Eating foods such as vegetables that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake.

PROJECT DETAILS

The project goal of raising awareness about the benefits of eating healthy and of the community garden will be achieved by hosting a fun-filled event on campus on April 22, 2015. The event will take place during Earth Week, and will include games, live performances, food, and drinks. The ideal partners for this event are Central Market, The Sustainability Club, and the Lending Our Lives organization.

Sponsor

Central Market is one of the top freshest markets in the United States today. They have an unmatched selection of organic fruits, vegetables, cheeses, etc. By 2012, the ninth store was added in Dallas and has continued to attract attention locally and nationally. Their mission is easy to, Bring our fellow foodies the freshest products, the best service and the knowledge to make cooking and eating a joy. Combining efforts with their parent company, HEB, Central Market donates 5% percent of their pretax earnings to charitable organizations in Texas communities. This consistent involvement in the community focuses on: Education Hunger Relief Health Diversity Disaster Relief Volunteerism Environment

Student Organizations

There are two student organizations on the UTD campus that take an active role of encouraging and supporting environmental sustainability and community development. They are the Sustainability Club and the Lending Our Lives organization. The Sustainability Club is a student coalition that is dedicated to the education, emphasis, and lifestyle of being environmentally sustainable in order to benefit UT Dallas and the surrounding communities. Lending Our Lives is a community service-oriented organization that focuses on the betterment of the community of UT Dallas and the general DFW Metroplex through the completion of various service projects focusing on the element of volunteerism.

Event Details

The event will take place on Earth Day, Wednesday April 22, 2015 from 4:00p.m.-9:00 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to Drives L and H on the UTD campus. On the outer perimeter of the parking lot, Central Market will have booths set up to sell fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds for planting in the garden, ready-to-eat food, freshly made smoothies, and unique handcrafted items. The entertainment for the event will be two stand-up comedians. The main focus of the event will be the group planting, where attendees will be able to plant their own seeds, gain knowledge about the farming process as a whole, and learn more about the benefits of healthy eating choices. Tee shirts will be sold at the event to raise additional donation revenue. All revenues collected will be donated to the community garden.

Event Itinerary

4:00 - 5:00p.m. UTD radio will begin playing music while people are arriving and browsing the booths.5:00 5:45p.m. Comedian Louis Ramey will take the stage 5:45 6:00p.m. Attendees will pick seeds to plant and begin gathering for the seed planting6:00 6:30p.m. Group seed planting event 6:30 7:00p.m. Guest speaker from Central Market will take the stage7:00 7:45p.m. Comedian Tom Rhodes will take the stage as our final performer7:45 8:00p.m. Event will wind down with UTD radio disk jockey

Promotional Strategy

In order to advertise effectively for this event, we plan to use flyers, a mention in the Alumni Newsletter, and UTD radio advertising. Advertising will take place during the week leading up to the event, from April 14- April 22. Flyers will be posted in every building on campus and on all information boards available. Flyers will also be posted in local Central Market locations. The Alumni Newsletter is released once a month; the April edition will include our flyer, as well as a general description of the event. Posting flyers on campus and airing advertisements on UTD radio will appeal to students, while posting in the newsletter will allow alumni a chance to get involved and to give back. By posting in local Central Market stores, the local public will be able to get involved as well.

BUDGET

The total budget for the event is $3,290, half of which will be covered by our sponsor, Central Market. The remaining amount requested from the Businesses Give Back Chamber is $1,645. All additional costs incurred will be covered by Central Market. Given that this is a student event, most of the event costs will be covered by the University of Texas at Dallas. The full breakdown of the budget can be seen in Appendix Six.

EVALUATION

Success of our event would be to raise as much awareness and as much donation money to go to the community garden as possible. Success will include selling all of our tee shirts, food, beverages, and merchandise.

FUTURE GOALS

Future goals include teaming up with Central Market and The Businesses Give Back Chamber to host this event annually on Earth Day. As this event continues to grow each year, we will add sponsors and entertainers. This will ultimately result in us creating a larger event each year that will continue to raise more awareness than the previous year.

APPENDIX ONE: CENTRAL MARKET LETTER OF INTENT

March 11, 2015 H.E. Butt Grocery CompanyP.O. Box 839999San Antonio, TX 78283-3999

Head of Human Resources:

We would like to thank you for cooperating with us and the Community Garden at the University of Texas at Dallas for our inaugural Planting For The Future event. This letter will cover all the understanding between all parties involved along with all the terms and conditions in which have been previously agreed upon. 1. Terms. By signing you are agreeing to become the title sponsor for the Planting For The Future event at University of Texas at Dallas on April 22, 2015.2. Contribution. Central Market agrees upon an up-front fee of $1,645. This amount represents one half of all estimated costs necessary to successfully host the event. This amount is an estimate, and Central Market agrees to pay any reasonable additional costs incurred.

3. Partnership. Central Market agrees to supply all food and beverage service products, equipment, and staffing necessary. All revenue collected for the event will be donated to the University of Texas at Dallas Community Garden.

4. Consent. By signing this document, HEB hereby authorizes Planting For The Future to use the Central Market logo and likeness on all pre-approved marketing material including: online, print, and radio advertising.

It is understood that these arrangements represent the intention of Central Market and their commitment to bring awareness to the University of Texas at Dallas Community Garden for a healthy future.

X dHead of Human ResourcesCentral MarketAPPENDIX TWO: UTD RADIO LETTER OF INTENT

March 11, 2015 The University of Texas at Dallas / Student Media-Radio UTD 800 W. Campbell Rd., Suite 24 Richardson TX 75080

Dear James Pacifico, We would like to thank you for cooperating with us and the Community Garden at the University of Texas at Dallas for our inaugural Planting For The Future event. This letter will cover all the understanding between all parties involved along with all the terms and conditions in which have been previously agreed upon. 1. Terms. By signing you are agreeing to provide DJ entertainment throughout the 4 hour event held on April 22, from 4:00-p.m.-8:00p.m, as well as advertising for the event. Music will be appropriate for all ages, and will be upbeat. 2. Contribution. Planting For The Future will be giving UTD Radio thirty tee-shirts to be given away as promotions leading up to the event. DJs will have access to beverages and food during the event. Central Market will be providing a thank you basket at the end of the event. 3. Partnership. UTD Radio will provide all necessary stage and sound equipment for the event, which will be used by Hyenas Comedy Nightclub comedians, and UTD Radio DJs.

4. Advertising. UTD radio will air thirty Planting For The Future radio advertisements, each thirty seconds in length, from April 15-April 22. In addition, on-air disk jockeys will mention the event thirty times during this week. Additionally, the event flyer will be posted on the radio stations website and on all social media platforms during the week preceding the event.

It is understood that these arrangements represent the intention of UTD radio and their commitment to bring awareness to the University of Texas at Dallas Community Garden for a healthy future.

X dJames PacificoStation ManagerAPPENDIX THREE: HYENAS LETTER OF INTENT

March 11, 2015

Hyenas Comedy Nightclub5321 E Mockingbird Ln #220, Dallas, TX 75206

Head of Human Resources:

We would like to thank you for cooperating with us and the Community Garden at the University of Texas at Dallas for our inaugural Planting For The Future event. This letter will cover all the understanding between all parties involved along with all the terms and conditions in which have been previously agreed upon.

1. Term. By signing you are agreeing to provide two 45-minute shows presented by Louis Ramey and Tom Rhodes for the event held on April 22, 2015 from 4p.m.-8p.m. Planting For The Future will have full rights to advertise both comedians for the events on-air, online, and print advertising.

2. Contribution. Planting For The Future will give a payment of $1,500 in total for both acts, $750 for each comedian. Of this, $750 will be given as a down payment one month prior to the event, and the other $750 will be given upon completion of the event. A check will be written to Hyenas Comedy Nightclub for each amount.

3. Recognition. Planting For The Future will be recognizing by name Hyenas Comedy Nightclub, as well as the comedians for their support.

It is understood that these arrangements represent the intention of Hyenas Comedy Nightclub and their commitment to bring awareness to the University of Texas at Dallas Community Garden for a healthy future.

X dHead of Human ResourcesHyenas Comedy Nightclub

APPENDIX FOUR: TEE SHIRT DESIGN

APPENDIX FIVE: FLYER DESIGN

APPENDIX SIX: BUDGET

CategoryItemQuantity Cost Estimate Totals

Entertainment

Comedians2$750.00$1,500.00

Entertainment Total$1,500.00

Space Rental (Parking lot space)

Area usage: 4 hrs.$400.00 per hour$1,600.00

Space Rental Total$1,600.00

Media Equipment

Audio equipment (per hour)Donated (UTD Radio)

Media Equipment Total$0.00

Foodservice Rentals

Tables$30.00Donated (Central Market)$0.00

Tablecloths $30.00Donated (Central Market)$0.00

Chairs$250.00Donated (Central Market)$0.00

Drinks$30.00Donated (Central Market)$0.00

Foodservice Rentals Total$0.00

Food

Donated (Central Market)

Food Total$0.00

Advertising Costs

Flyer/Tee shirt design1$150.00$150.00

Printed flyers 250$0.62$40.00

Tee shirt printing 200$4.00$800.00

Radio Advertising Donated(UTD)Donated(UTD)Donated(UTD)

Live Remote Donated(UTD)Donated(UTD)Donated(UTD)

Print Advertising Donated(UTD)Donated(UTD)Donated(UTD)

Advertising Costs Total$190.00

Total Costs$3,290.00