December 31, 2015 – New Mexico, USA – The beautiful town of Santa Fe, New Mexico was planning on starting a tradition of a New Year’s Eve balloon release. Thanks to the quick action of our friend Denise, the mayor is omitting the balloon release from the festivities.
December 16, 2015 – Belgium – MNM.be in Belgium had planned to release 10,000 balloons tomorrow for a ‘balloon race’ publicity stunt. Thankfully, they have altered the event to omit the release. Much respect to all who spoke out against this deliberate aerial littering.
December 10, 2015 – USA – Much respect to the lovely women of laurelbox. They offer special gift boxes that are designed to nourish a woman’s heart after a loss. They include many touching gifts. Unfortunately, sky lanterns were included on their website – with proceeds going to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. After a quick note on their page they quickly took action & immediately replaced the sky lanterns with a beautiful, re-usable, lantern.
November 6, 2015 – South Carolina, USA – The American Heart Association Beach Ride in Myrtle Beach South Carolina had planned a sky lantern release tonight. After learning of the hazards of sky lanterns & how their release is prohibited in their state, they have decide to replace the lanterns with a touching candle lit ceremony.
November 2, 2015 – Australia – Our friend Sharyn in Australia was troubled when her son’s school was planning a balloon release during their ‘Day for Daniel’ celebration as part of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation (official page)‘s “Keep Kids Safe” campaign. She simply called the school & referred them to our website. The school quickly replaced their balloon release plans with BUBBLES instead. With 1500 schools participating in the event, Sharyn went further & called the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, they agreed balloons should not be released & intend to reference this on their website.
October 12, 2015 – Alabama, USA – Wrapsody in Alabama had planned to perform simultaneous balloon releases at both their stores during their ‘Hope Floats’ event. The annual event raises funds for local organizations that help women battling breast cancer. After receiving many comments from concerned individuals, they have decided to alter the event to exclude the destructive balloon release.
October 9, 2015 – Florida, USA – Balloons were prepared to launch in Bonifay Florida to ‘honor’ those with breast cancer. The Department of Health -Holmes County, along with the Bonifay Kiwanis Club were determined to move forward with their planned balloon release, even after our phone call where we explained the destructive effects & the Florida state statute 379.233. With the mass littering event planned for the next day, we made a quick call to MyFWC. Thankfully, an investigator visited the organizers & they decided to omit the balloon release from their annual event.
September 25, 2015 – Our friend Debra was troubled when she learned her school was holding a memorial balloon release. She was hesitant to speak up at first, but she couldn’t help but think of the animals that might get a hold of them. Although the balloon release was planned for the very next day, they quickly altered the memorial to roses & candles
September 11, 2015 – Texas, USA – Much respect to our friends in the Town of Trophy Club in Texas. Instead of releasing balloons during their 9-11 and first responder ceremony today, they handed out blue ribbons for guests to wear.
September 4, 2015 – New Jersey, USA – The Zeta Tau Alpha – TCNJ had planned another balloon release at their annual ‘Pink Out Week’ at The College of New Jersey on September 27th. While we did not receive a reply from them, the national Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity has assured us a lesson was learned & the balloon release will be omitted from the event. We are hopeful all fraternity chapters will follow their lead.
“The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha reminds us that our Fraternity provides “the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives.” This week, our chapter at The College of New Jersey learned a lesson in environmental responsibility. The chapter planned to honor breast cancer survivors through a balloon release later this month. After receiving messages from several organizations sharing concerns about littering, release of helium and potential harm to animal and aquatic life, the chapter has cancelled the balloon release and will honor breast cancer survivors in a more appropriate way. National Council hopes other ZTA chapters will follow this example when planning events.” – Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity
September 2, 2015 – Georgia, USA – Georgia Southwestern State University had planned to release balloons today during their celebration to honor the life of their beloved ‘Chief’. Fortunately, they have assured us a balloon release will not be a part of their annual Chief’s Day activities.
September 1, 2015 – Alabama, USA – A balloon release was being planned at Wetumpka Elementary School in Alabama to honor those lost on September 11th. After a quick phone call with the principal, the event was altered. Instead, the children will blow bubbles & wave American flags.
August 21, 2015 – USA – When the host of a radio show & his wife suffered the tragic loss of their little girl in utero, listeners flooded their page with thoughtful condolences – Many, changing their profile picture in honor of Phoebe. One listener wanted to do something special for little Phoebe & planned a balloon release that quickly began to go viral, with people from around the country promising to release balloons this Saturday. Once the organizer understood the destructive nature of released balloons, she pulled the event & instead created a fund page to have a plaque made in Phoebe’s honor. http://www.gofundme.com/
August 19, 2015 – New Jersey, USA – WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in New Jersey had planned to release 107 balloons as a publicity stunt, the winner receiving a pass to meet Rascal Flatts. Fortunately, our friends at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the New Jersey Osprey Project, & Wildlife Aid took action & rallied the public to speak out against this irresponsible aerial littering. The New Jersey State Police & the Buena Vista Township Public Works even got involved.
Click to enlarge
August 3, 2015 – USA – A touching note about a beautiful young woman lost too soon & how her life will now be celebrated.
“Jaclyn Atkins: Thank you for all the love and support! I wish I had done it sooner! From the first time we did a balloon release in the back of my head I thought “Alison would not be okay with this!!!!” Just coming across this page on my newsfeed inspired me to put my foot down and make a change! I hope others see this page as well and change their ways and honour their loved ones in a safer way that can still be memorable.”
June 30, 2015 – California, USA – Our friend Deanna in California was troubled that her local Relay for Life chapter was performing balloon releases at their annual events. She contacted the person in charge and politely explained the destructive and wasteful nature of balloon releases. She was quickly informed they would be omitting any further balloon releases from their events. Much respect to them and for Deanna who prevented a whole bunch of deadly trash from entering the environment – simply by speaking up.”
June 25, 2015 – New South Wales, Australia – Much respect to Bubbles blow for William Tyrell’s 4th birthday for being open-minded & altering the event to a bubble blowing instead of a balloon release. Three year old William Tyrell went missing in September 2014 in Kendall, New South Wales, Australia. A balloon release was planned for his birthday, but the group quickly updated their page when they were made aware of the hazards of balloon releases.
June 6, 2015 – Massachusetts, USA – Our friends in Massachusetts are planning a ‘Family Fun Festival’ to benefit the American Brain Tumor Association. Originally, they had planned to include a balloon release, but after being alerted of the destructive effects, they quickly altered the event.
May 29, 2015 – Georgia, USA – ‘Charity Sweat’ in Madison Georgia has altered their 5K fundraiser to omit their planned balloon release. After our friend Melissa contacted them & alerted them of the wasteful & destructive nature of balloons tossed into the environment, they were eager to find an alternative. She suggested bubbles & they loved it! Bubbles will replace balloons at their newly named ‘Super Bubble 5K Sweat For Charity Fun/Run/Walk’. They even have a toy company agreeing to supply them with bubble makers at no cost!
May 19, 2015 – Missouri, USA – Lost & Found Grief Center in Missouri will not include a destructive balloon release this year at their annual fundraising event! For five years the center continued to perform & promote balloon releases as a method to raise funds & “communicate” with loved ones. After two years & hundreds of unanswered emails from people all around the world, L&F has finally decided to omit the destructive balloon release from the event. Sadly, not because of a new-found compassion for the environment, but to “avoid any more emails and messages” from our supporters. They’re chosen alternative is to “plant” fake flowers that can be retrieved by the family when they “begin to look worn”. A little puzzled why real flowers weren’t used, but at least hazardous trash won’t be tossed into the environment en mass.
May 8, 2015 – Alabama, USA – The YMCA of South Alabama had planned several balloon releases at different locations during their week-long celebration. Fortunately, our friend Linda & the good folks at Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation & Mobile Baykeeper (along with many others) spoke up, & the YMCA agreed to alter their events.
April 24, 2015 – Manchester, England – Gorsefield Primary School in Manchester, UK had planned to release hundreds of balloons. Thanks to the eco-conscious parents who spoke up & explained the negative effects of balloons that are tossed into the environment. The school’s executive principal said, “We decided that it just wasn’t worth the risk, even though the balloons we bought claimed to be environmentally friendly”.
March 13, 2015 – Florida, USA – After hearing from quite a few people the Windermere Police Department Foundation, Inc. has altered their event. A candlelight vigil will replace the destructive (& illegal) balloon release they had planned for their memorial. Officer Robert German will now be honored with a dignified memorial.
March 4, 2015 – Florida, USA – Thankfully, the Wishmakers at Florida International University omitted the balloon release from their fundraising activity for the “Make A Wish” Foundation. While they were mislead that their latex balloons would biodegrade harmlessly, they now understand releasing balloons of any kind is simply littering, & they are deadly to animals. We have found FIU balloons washing ashore our beach 120 miles away. We are hopeful this institution will move away from using this wasteful flyaway trash.
December 30, 2014 – Washington, USA – The good people at Bake’s Place in beautiful Washington had planned a midnight balloon release at their New Year’s Eve celebration. After a polite informative comment on their Facebook page asking them to omit the release, they promptly agreed.
November 4, 2014 – Florida, USA – The good people of Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care in Florida quickly altered their event after learning how harmful balloon releases are. A mass bubble blowing will take place at their awesome ‘Hike for Hospice’ event on November 16th!
October 18, 2014 – Western Australia, Australia – Thanks to our friends of the Town of Victoria Park in Western Australia for omitting the planned balloon release from their Welcome to Australia ‘Walk Together’ event.
October 9, 2014 – Florida, USA – The Tampa Bay Florida chapter of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention had planned a balloon release during their Out of the Darkness Walk event to raise awareness & funds. After a quick phone call explaining the Florida balloon release law & the destructive results of releasing balloons they promptly switched to a mass bubble blowing!
October 3, 2014 – Florida, USA – A few schools in Florida were planning balloon releases today. After a few emails & a couple quick phone calls the schools immediately altered their plans.
September 1, 2014 – Ontario, Canada – Balloons To The Moon had planned to release 1,000 balloons in Sarnia, Ontario Canada. After a few of us politely informed the organizer of the ugly, deadly litter fallen balloons become, he reluctantly canceled the release & pulled down the FB page. We happily posted the “Balloon Release Averted!” right away. Unfortunately, his disappointed followers prompted him to revive his plans. So we then posted the mass littering alert here. Thankfully, our friends stepped up & emailed the local authority contacts provided & posted on the page. Finally, the organizer once again canceled… this time for good!
August 20, 2014 – Wales – The folks at Bumble Tree in Wales were planning a ‘balloon race’ next month. They have agreed to alter the event & are asking for suggestions!
June 9, 2014 – Michigan, USA – A 30 year tradition of releasing thousands of balloons at the Sterling Heights Michigan art & music fair has come to an end. To replace balloons, Sterlingfest will be bouncing around thousands of beach balls!
June 6, 2014 – Singapore – The good people of the Cultural Activities Club at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore were planning to release several hundred balloons at their Arts From the Heart carnival to benefit the Children’s Cancer Foundation. Shortly after receiving feedback on their Facebook page they omitted the balloon release from their event “… in a bid to care for the environment.”
June 5, 2014 – Michigan, USA – Jayno Adams Elementary in Waterford, Michigan was planning to release balloons as part of their closing celebration. Thanks to a friend who spoke up & emailed them, they have altered their plans. We called the principal to confirm who said she was glad to receive the information & they will be blowing bubbles instead!
June 5, 2014 – Ohio, USA – A balloon release was halted in Canton Ohio. After a few friends voiced their concerns the event was quickly altered. Hundreds of balloons were filled with air instead of Helium & they were kept indoors!
May 16, 2014 – Pennsylvania, USA – Pottstown School District in Pennsylvania has canceled their plans to release 600 balloons at their anniversary celebration tomorrow. “After reviewing information about latex balloons the decision has been made to remove the balloon release from the program. In place of the balloons we will distribute American flags and invite everyone to show their pride in our country by waving them during our ‘We Are Pottstown’ picture,” John Armato – Pottstown School District Director of Community Relations.
May 10, 2014 – France – Much respect to our friend in France who was able to prevent a balloon release to celebrate Europe’s Day in Marseille. After being informed about the dangers of balloons the organizers immediately decided to find an alternative.
May 9, 2014 – United Kingdom – The UK Independence Party had planned to release tens of thousands of balloons bearing messages today at several locations for a fundraiser & to help spread their message (and litter) “across the UK and beyond”.
“The event has been cancelled and we’ll be carrying out the message of the event electronically instead. We were sensitive of advice about the environmental impact.” -UKIP
Unfortunately not all local UKIP groups received the cancellation notice & balloons were released at Christchurch in Dorset.
May 3, 2014 – United Kingdom – John Lewis will not be releasing balloons as part of their 150th birthday celebrations.
May 1, 2014 – United Kingdom – A 10,000 balloon release was planned in the UK to mark the tenth anniversary of Queen Mary 2 becoming the Cunard flagship. Thankfully, after many people spoke up, they have announced they will NOT be releasing balloons during the celebrations next week.
