PURCHASE, N.Y., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Voting will open for the first time in 2011 on May 1 for the Pepsi Refresh Project and consumers are encouraged to cast their vote on www.RefreshEverything.com – giving them the power to decide which ideas are funded.  Each month, Pepsi is giving away more than $1 million to 60 ideas that move communities forward.  This year, Pepsi is also offering consumers the chance to make their votes go even further for the ideas that they believe will create a better, more vibrant world with Power Voting. 

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The Power of the Vote

Tied to product purchase, codes for online entry found on marked Pepsi products now through September 30 will allow voters to apply bonus votes to one idea they like, up to ten times per day.  Values are randomly assigned and can be allocated to any idea, even if users have already voted that day. Given the success of the program in 2010, Power Voting is yet another way to expand the reach and impact of the Refresh Project now in its second year, allowing voters to quench both their thirst and enthusiasm for vibrant ideas.

Get Voting, America!

Ideas submitted in April have been selected randomly and will be posted on www.RefreshEverything.com starting May 1 for voting for one month – now is the chance to help out your favorite.  In addition to voting, you can share and discuss ideas with like-minded individuals in the groups section on Refresheverything.com.  

Keep Submitting More Great Ideas!

May 1 also marks the beginning of the second idea submission period in 2011.  In addition to the three, standing grant categories– Education, Communities and Arts & Music – this month's Pepsi Challenge question is tailored for art enthusiasts everywhere, asking them to illustrate: "How Can You Use Art to Energize a Community?" Whether beautifying city streets, schools, or public spaces– Pepsi challenges America to submit their best answer.  Entries for May will be accepted for five days from 12 pm ET Sunday, May 1 through 11:59:59 pm ET Thursday, May 5. 

Need Some Inspiration?

Pepsi believes that every individual can refresh the world and is releasing new videos each month on YouTube that get consumers motivated and thinking, highlight grantee winners and show how ideas are put into action.  For more, check out Pepsi Refresh Project at the Refresh Press Room: www.RefreshEverything.com/press-room, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Pepsi, or on Twitter @Pepsi or #pepsirefresh.

SOURCE Pepsi