Contact: Michelle Borja, 865-329-9260, mborja@porchstep.com; Allison Gibson, 865-329-9260, agibson@porchstep.com; both with Porch Step
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 22, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Porch Step, a lifestyle media company, launched its 5 Simple Things Challenge: Spring Cleaning. The contest encourages participants to initiate a spring project with a twist - seeking stories of "doing" something for others.
Based on John Tolsma's recently released Christian guidebook and journal 5 Simple Things, the Challenge seeks stories of how entrants plan to tackle a project that will transform a life, an organization or a cause. "The act of Doing for others is a central value of our brand," says author and CEO of Porch Step John Tolsma. "What better time of the year to help others than Spring when we're focused on beginning a new season of life."
The 5 Simple Things Challenge is a different kind of campaign, providing incentive and support to help encourage people to do good for others. The Challenge winner will receive $1000 to help accomplish a project whether it's supporting a family member, a neighbor, a church or organization.
Porch Step hosted its inaugural challenge earlier this year where one particular story stood out to the team. When Porch Step asked Americans, "How could $2500 help you or someone you love accomplish a meaningful goal in 2011?" Brandon Bethea, whose story, "Saved by Sharks," shared of his vision for helping cancer survivors escape the pain and loss through dives with sharks.
"I was forever changed after losing my mom to cancer. I escaped the loss by getting in the water. It just happened to be with sharks," said Bethea. "I'm grateful that Porch Step reached out to help support me in starting Fin Forward Foundation. Entering the 5 Simple Things Challenge really kick-started my goal of working with cancer victims, and it gave me a tangible way to honor my mother's memory."
For more information, or to submit your story, explaining how you would use the $1000, visit www.5SimpleThingsChallenge.com. The Challenge winner will be announced on May 2, 2011.
About John Tolsma
The founder and president of Porch Step, John Tolsma also leads Knowledge Launch, an educational media company that creates learning and leadership programs across the globe. A graduate of Duke University, Harvard Law School and the Harvard Business School, Tolsma started his first multi-million dollar company straight out of school. Recognized as one of Tennessee's Top Forty Under Forty by Business Tennessee Magazine, Tolsma received the Pinnacle Visionary Award, which annually honors a young professional who represents leadership in business as a role model for other professionals.
About Porch Step
Porch Step is a lifestyle media company developing content focused on re-engaging and reinvigorating the values that are important in everyday life. With a community focused on Faith, Family, and Future, Porch Step connects people through the rediscovery of what matters most. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Porch Step is cultivating impactful resources around topics from parenting with purpose to impacting the world around you to managing your money. For more information, visit www.porchstep.com.
About Fin Forward Foundation
The Fin Forward Foundation provides shark dives and marine encounters for cancer survivors in order to harness the therapeutic and transformational power of our oceans. These life-embracing experiences can range from dolphin interactions to research expeditions with great white sharks. For more information about Fin Forward, visit www.finforward.com.
