The Bay Street Players and S.T.E.P. Partner to Provide Shoes for Those in Need

ORLANDO, Fla. - March 21, 2014 - PRLog -- Living Responsibly Locally. Raising Awareness Nationally. Giving Globally
Together, we can make a BIG difference. One S.T.E.P. at a time.

Contact:

Denise Russo 404-849-5093 info@thirstaidlive.com


The Bay Street Players and S.T.E.P. Partner to Provide Shoes for Those in Need

YPT and S.T.E.P., founded by 12yr-old Olivia, seeking donations of new or gently worn shoes

[Eustis, Florida—March 17, 2014] – What’s the best way to overcome an obstacle? One takes a simple step towards a brighter future.

The epic Atlanta-based floods in 2009 was that obstacle for then-9 year old Olivia. Although she and her family lost everything and were even homeless, this tragedy turned into triumph. Olivia Russo-Hood started thinking big about giving back and founded S.T.E.P.—Save the Earth Projects— to bring people together to organize social change.

Our past childhood fairytale protagonists embraced a hopeful vision and made strides towards positive change, especially when obstacles seemed almost insurmountable. Do these stories live outside of the theater or Cineplex? Are there modern day superheroes? One only needs to speak with this young leader in order to have renewed hope.

Although embracing despair would have been an easy route, Olivia instead created the “Leave a Good Footprint” campaign collecting gently used shoes and deploying them internationally.

Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guatemala, and Kenya are just a few of the countries that have benefited from the thousands of shoes collected by this international campaign. In addition to saving United States’ landfills, the recycled shoes catalyze local job creation and foster economic growth in their final destination.

The Bay Street Players at the Historic State Theater has a history as splendid and inspirational as that of S.T.E.P. When constructed in 1916, the Eustis theater venue began with vaudeville, embraced the move to motion pictures, and devolved to abandonment in the seventies. Deborah and Dale Carpenter, Charlene Smith, and Lou Tally began the onerous task of renovating the once glorious venue. Fast forward to today. The Bay Street Players has created and supported programming focused on younger audiences. Young People’s Theater (YPT) is the oldest continually running children’s theater program in Central Florida 7-18-year old students create and perform full scale production such as The Music Man, Jr.

The partnership between STEP and YPT is a perfect forum for young and old to S.T.E.P. up and help our local and global communities.

Bring your shoes and meet Olivia, who will speak during intermission on Sunday, March 23, 2014. Let’s step towards a new, improved future together. The theater is located at 109 North Bay Street in Downtown Eustis. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students with ID. For reservations call (352)357-7777 or visit www.baystreetplayers.org to purchase tickets.

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Bay Street Players, Inc.  is a 501( c )( 3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide entertainment and education for the residents of Central Florida through production of theatrical arts which allow students and artists to learn and practice their craft.

ABOUT STEP

Save the Earth Projects (S.T.E.P.) is a youth social entrepreneurship idea organizing social change. S.T.E.P. participants recognize social problems and then organize, create, and/or manage a social venture to make change. Corporate businesses typically focus on profit and return, whereas social enterprises also measure the returns to society. For more information visit www.SaveTheEarthProjects.com or www.facebook.com/SaveTheEarthProjects