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Making Life Matter, LLC
"A Kid's Guide To Random Acts of Kindness"
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Our mission here is simple...
We strongly believe in the power of kindness, gratitude, mindfulness and intention.
OCEAN KINDNESS
How can you make a difference for our ocean?
Read below to find out!
The ocean's kindness is not just about the beauty and biodiversity it provides, but also about the essential role it plays in sustaining life on Earth.
HOST OR JOIN A
BEACH CLEANUP
Joining or hosting a beach cleanup is a powerful act of ocean kindness that protects marine life and preserves our planet for future generations. You CAN make a difference! Host or join a beach cleanup crew today. The numbers are staggering: according to National Geographic, there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean—about 269,000 tons floating on the surface, with four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer polluting the deep sea. This catastrophic pollution harms wildlife, disrupts ecosystems, and threatens our own health, but every piece removed is a step toward healing our oceans and showing love in action.
RECYCLE, REUSE,
REDUCE
Reducing, reusing, and recycling helps protect our planet by cutting down on waste, conserving natural resources, and saving energy. When we reduce what we use, we lessen pollution and the strain on landfills. Reusing items gives them a longer life and prevents unnecessary trash, while recycling turns old materials into new products instead of harming the environment. By practicing the three R’s, we can keep our Earth cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable for future generations.
DITCH SINGLE
USE PLASTIC
​Single-use plastics may be convenient, but they cause lasting harm to our planet. These plastics often end up in landfills, waterways, and oceans, where they can take hundreds of years to break down and can injure or kill wildlife. They also contribute to pollution and climate change through the resources and energy used to produce them. By ditching single-use plastics and choosing reusable options instead, we help protect ecosystems, reduce waste, and create a cleaner, healthier Earth for future generations.
DO NOT COLLECT LIVE SAND DOLLARS
Live sand dollars are living marine animals that play an important role in the ocean ecosystem. Live sand dollars, often mistaken for shells, help keep the ocean floor healthy by burrowing through sand and recycling nutrients. Removing them from their habitat can cause unnecessary harm and disrupt delicate marine life. Live sand dollars are usually dark gray or purple and fuzzy with tiny moving spines, while dead sand dollars are white, smooth, and hard.
BECOME A MEMBER... SUPPORT EFFORTS
Supporting ocean and marine life conservation efforts is one of the easiest ways to become involved and to make a difference!
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We volunteer and donate to many wonderful organizations that work endlessly for the good of our oceans and marine life. Listed are some of our favorite local organizations we have and continue to support:
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Keep Okaloosa Beautiful
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Eco-Clean Marine Gulf Shores
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Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
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Panama City Beach Sea Turtle Watch
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Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol
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Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center
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Ocean Hour Pensacola
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Keep Pensacola Beautiful
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Gulfarium CARE Center
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Florida Coastal Conservancy
REPORT INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE
Reporting injured or orphaned wildlife... whether birds, marine life, or other animals... is a powerful act of ocean kindness because it gives trained professionals the chance to help animals safely and responsibly. Many well-meaning people don’t realize that handling wildlife without proper knowledge can cause harm or violate laws designed to protect these species. By alerting local wildlife rehabilitators, marine rescue organizations, or authorities, you help ensure animals receive expert care while also protecting fragile ecosystems. One call can save a life, prevent further injury, and contribute to the health and balance of our oceans for generations to come.
PRACTICE
SAFE BOATING
Practicing safe boating is a powerful form of ocean kindness because it protects marine life, waterways, and the people who enjoy them. Following speed limits, avoiding sensitive habitats like seagrass beds and coral reefs, properly disposing of trash, and staying alert for wildlife all help prevent accidents, pollution, and habitat damage. Safe boating reduces fuel spills, limits noise disturbance for marine animals, and keeps oceans cleaner and healthier. When we boat responsibly, we show respect for the ocean and help preserve its beauty and life for future generations.
DITCH BALLOONS:
USE ALTERNATIVES
Ditching balloons is a simple but powerful act of earth kindness. Even biodegradable balloons don’t truly disappear... they break into small pieces that can harm wildlife, pollute oceans, and damage ecosystems when animals mistake them for food. By choosing safer alternatives like bubbles, ribbons, or reusable decorations, we protect animals, keep our land and water clean, and show respect for the planet we all share.
LIGHTS OUT FOR
SEA TURTLES
Artificial lights near beaches can disorient nesting mothers and hatchlings, drawing them away from the ocean and putting them at serious risk. By turning off unnecessary lights or using turtle-friendly lighting, we help ensure hatchlings can safely find their way to the sea and adults can nest without disturbance. This small choice protects a vulnerable species and shows respect for the natural rhythms of the ocean.
VOLUNTEER FOR DISASTER EFFORTS
Volunteering for disaster relief is a powerful act of ocean kindness because what happens on land inevitably affects our oceans. Natural disasters often wash debris, chemicals, and pollutants into waterways that flow directly into the sea, harming marine life and fragile ecosystems. By helping communities recover, clean up, and rebuild responsibly, we reduce pollution before it reaches the ocean and protect the habitats that countless species depend on.
USE REEF SAFE & MINERAL SUNSCREEN
Choosing reef-safe sunscreen is a simple yet powerful act of ocean kindness. Many conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that wash off our skin and into the sea, where they can damage coral reefs, harm marine life, and disrupt delicate ocean ecosystems. By selecting reef-safe options, we help protect corals that provide habitat for countless species and play a vital role in ocean health. When shopping for reef-safe sunscreen, steer clear of these harmful ingredients: parabens, octinoxate, homosalate, oxybenzone, and synthetic fragrances.
VOLUNTEER FOR SEA TURTLES & MORE
​Volunteering for sea turtle efforts is a powerful act of ocean kindness because it helps protect one of the most ancient and vulnerable species in our seas. By supporting nest monitoring, beach cleanups, and rescue initiatives, volunteers reduce threats caused by pollution, habitat loss, and human impact. These efforts not only give sea turtles a better chance to survive and thrive, but also help preserve the health of the entire marine ecosystem.
EAT
SUSTAINABLY
Choosing sustainably sourced seafood, reducing plastic packaging, and cutting back on foods that contribute to pollution and overfishing helps protect ocean life and habitats. When we eat with intention, we reduce harm to fragile ecosystems and support practices that keep our oceans thriving for future generations.
RESPECT
THE LOCALS
Approaching, touching, or chasing marine animals can disrupt feeding, resting, and parenting, and may even put them in danger. By observing respectfully from afar, we protect their health, reduce human impact on delicate ecosystems, and show care for the ocean as a shared home rather than a place for interference. Respect the locals!
DO NOT DISTURB
SEA TURTLE NESTS
Sea turtles are easily disturbed during nesting, and human presence can cause mothers to abandon their nests or prevent hatchlings from safely reaching the sea. Foot traffic, lights, and noise can also damage nests or disorient baby turtles, reducing their chances of survival. By respecting posted boundaries and giving nests space, we help protect these vulnerable creatures and support the natural balance of our ocean ecosystems.
Please enjoy these FREE RESOURCES
A big thank you to Teachers Pay Teachers!
OUR PARTNERS
From partnerships to donation recipients... from volunteer collaborations to awareness campaigns and events...
Listed below are our most recent ocean kindness partnerships who are all working towards a similar goal...
Making our world a better place.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Shop our holiday collection that gives back!
100% of proceeds go towards Making Life Matter kindness mission initiatives.
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