I don’t drink a lot of pop. Or, you know, soda if you don’t live in my area. When I do, it’s a special splurge for pizza night or another restaurant outing. That said, if I’m splurging, I’m going with Pepsi. I don’t need to say anything more than I prefer the taste of Pepsi to any other variety of pop. It’s my special treat sometimes.

That’s why I’m super pleased that Pepsi is starting something special of their own.

It’s called the Pepsi Refresh Project and it has the potential to be awesome. In short, Pepsi is going to be giving away more than $20 million dollars to help fund projects of all sizes that help make communities better. No. Really. $20 million dollars. My brain doesn’t even comprehend that kind of money. In fact, Pepsi is so serious about this project that they opted not to advertise in this year’s Super Bowl (February 7th) so that they could dedicate the money that they would have spent there instead to this very important social cause.

I could go buy a Pepsi right now and splurge a little bit myself in honor of this awesome project. Giving up ad space to help people? Holla.

What things count? New playground equipment. New library computers (hey, Ohio, are you reading?). Upgrades to make a historical building/theater/etc handicapped accessible. The list goes on and on. From the small projects to the bigger than big ones! Every month, you have the ability to post a project in one of six categories: health, arts & culture, food & shelter, the planet, neighborhood or education. At the end of the month, Pepsi then posts the top submissions and lets the public vote on who should win the grants which start at $5,000 and go all the way up to $250,000!

You can get involved in two ways. Visit RefreshEverything.com and either submit your idea to improve your community or vote on other ideas to help other people improve their communities. The power of social media can help improve your community, your family’s community and communities all over. Let’s show the world how we can come together for good. Get to suggesting and voting now! (As a side note, you can also connect via twitter (@Pepsi) or on Facebook to become a fan.)

(By the way? I’m suggesting something to make our community better. I know that your community could use something, couldn’t it? Think about it. Submit. You never know what can happen with the press of a submit button!)

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[Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

As you’re sitting around, digesting your turkey dinners today, consider those that don’t have enough food. As your children drive you batty because they’re home from school for Thanksgiving break, consider those that don’t have schools. As the holiday season approaches and you give and receive gifts, consider those that won’t unwrap anything this year. Consider giving a gift in the name of someone else to someone else who needs something.

Oxfam America Unwrapped offers the ability to give various gifts to those around the world who need it. Things like goats, water purifiers and a school desk and chair can go a long way to changing the quality of life for a family and a community. There are different categories of gifts to give including everything from green items to items that help women and children. There are over 60 items to choose from.

Here’s how it works. You pick the gift that most speaks to you. You’ll receive a free card with the image of your specific gift. You can personalize the card online and have it sent directly to your friend or loved one. Or you can have the card delivered to you to write your own message. All Unwrapped donations are tax deductible and you will get a receipt. The item you have chosen goes to where it is needed most at any given time. And, voila, you’ve just helped change the world, one small gift at a time. Doing this in honor of another globally minded friend or family member could be the perfect holiday gift between the two of you this year.

Personally, we’re considering the books for children or a medical kit, being that we’re a book loving, fire-medic household. Seems fitting, doesn’t it?

Once again, if you have someone who seems impossible to buy for but has a huge heart for changing the world, consider sending a gift through Oxfam America this year.

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[Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Oxfam America Unwrapped and received a credit for a gift on the Oxfam site.]