The Hartford Whalers Gordie Howe Vintage NHL Alumni T-Shirt
The shirt is produced by Old Time Hockey, and a portion of the proceeds for each t-shirt is donated by Old Time Hockey to the retired players pension fund.
Gordie Howe T-Shirt
January 16th, 2011 · Amazon
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Recipes from Vermont
January 15th, 2011 · Conservation
Recipes have names like Blueberry Stuffed French Toast, Apple Covered Cheesecake, Vermont-Style Hush Puppies, Apple Pancakes, and more.
There are of course plenty of recipes that use Vermont’s staple ingredients, cheddar cheese, maple syrup, and fresh apples. But there are many more recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Proceeds from the book help The Vermont Fresh Network, the nation’s first statewide farm-to-restaurant program. As our food supply becomes more and more inundated with mass produced, chemically enhanced produce, it’s programs like this that help keep the traditional farmer going.
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Cute organic toddler doll
January 13th, 2011 · Amazon, Cancer, Children's Charities
This Dandelion Organic Toddler Doll comes in brunette (shown) or blonde. It’s a really cute doll that’s made of organic cotton fibers, and filled with natural corn fiber filling, with absolutely no harmful toxins at all.
It’s perfect for baby because it’s 11 inches tall and machine washable, so you can easily wash away all the goo and gunk that baby will be getting on it.
This toy was named to Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Toys of 2011. A portion of the proceeds from this item supports childhood cancer research
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How to help the victims of the tragegy in Arizona
January 10th, 2011 · American Red Cross
Like most of you, the news left me horrified and sick to my stomach. Over the weekend, a lunatic took a gun and killed three men and three women, and left a young, vibrant, popular congresswoman struggling for her life. The murder was indiscriminate, including a 76 year-old man and a 9-year old little girl. Thirteen others were wounded.
Almost as sickening as the awful tragedy has been the media and the politicians’ reaction to it. Immediately, people stood up on their pulpits and made bold pronouncements. It was this political party’s fault. No, it was that radio talk show’s fault. No, it was the fault of our government. I’d say that hearing some of the people talk was like hearing children on the playground fighting, but that’d be an insult to children on the playground. For some of these “talking heads” to use this tragedy as a means to further their own political agendas was disappointing and a tragic reflection of the very abuse of free speech they are supposedly champions of. I couldn’t take any more. I shut off the TV, the radio, and the Internet over the weekend.
Make no mistake. There was one person at fault: the madman who pulled the trigger.
So of all the voices out there, there is only one voice I trust at this point in time. It’s the voice of the person whom I know was the most reluctant spokesman of all.
On behalf of Gabby and our entire family, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Arizona and this great nation for their unbelievable outpouring of support. Gabby was doing what she loved most – hearing from her constituents – when this tragedy occurred. Serving Southern Arizonans is her passion, and nothing makes her more proud than representing them in Congress.
Like all Americans, we mourn the loss of Judge John M. Roll, Christina Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard and Gabe Zimmerman, a fine man and beloved member of Gabby’s team. We must never forget them, and our prayers are with their families. Our hearts go out to everyone injured yesterday; we hope and pray for their quick recovery. We also extend our thanks and appreciation to all of the first responders, medical personnel, law enforcement, and Arizona citizens who acted swiftly on Saturday and continue to assist our community through this tragedy. Many stories of heroism are emerging, and they are a source of strength for us during this difficult time. We are forever grateful.
Many of you have offered help. There is little that we can do but pray for those who are struggling. If you are inspired to make a positive gesture, consider two organizations that Gabby has long valued and supported: Tucson’s Community Food Bank and the American Red Cross.
The words, of course, are from Mark Kelly, Representative Giffords’s husband. He asks us to help in one way: to pray. And not to pray for some amorphous concept like justice or even our country or our society. No, pray specificaly for those who are struggling. The families of those six innocent men, women, and children who were murdered in cold blood, whose own lives were forever ripped apart. And those fourteen who are fighting for their lives right now. That is what will help right now.
Knowing that there will be some who want to do more, Mr. Kelly suggests a donation to one of Ms. Giffords’s favorite charities.
It was an amazing statement from a remarkable family. Even in their hour of pain, they make a point to think about the hungry, the suffering, and the sick among us. Instead of lashing out and turning their pain into anger and outrage (which was their right, and theirs alone), they showed the spirit of what it means to be a true American.
Please pray for Representative Giffords’ full recovery, as well as the others who are fighting for their lives right now. And let’s all learn from their example and unlike those who are throwing around loud and empty speeches, let’s quietly give of ourselves to help those who are in real need. The true way to combat evil is through doing good.
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Votive Holder that Helps Haiti
January 7th, 2011 · Developing Areas, Uncommon Goods
This Haitian Flower Votive Holder is available at UncommonGoods. These are handmade votive candle holders made from recycled steel oil drums.
A tea light is included, which will beautifully flicker through the spaces among the floral and vine design. It’s made in Haiti by the Comite Artisanal Haitian, an artisan coop of 170 artists in Port au Prince. Half of the profits that the supplier makes from the sales of these bowls go to Partners in Health (Stand with Haiti) and Americares.
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Rover, the book Ellen gave Oprah for Christmas!
January 4th, 2011 · Amazon, Animal Causes
This is a museum quality hardcover book which has 421 amazing pictures of doggies by photographer Andrew Grant. Each picture is a remarkable look into each dog’s distinct personality and emotion. It’s a fantastic gift for any animal lover, and bring awareness to the vital importance of pet rescue shelters (to which a portion of proceeds will be donated).
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The Gratitude Book – What are You Thankful for in 2011?
December 31st, 2010 · Amazon
Happy New Year!
One of the things that I’ve noticed as the years go by is that we don’t give thanks as much as we used to. Our society has become one where everyone feels entitled to what’s “coming to them”. We forget that every day, and every breath, is a gift to us. And when that happens, we forget how important it is to cherish everything and to thank those who have touched our lives.
The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude
A portion of all proceeds from Amazon book sales goes to FeedAmerica, the ASPCA, Make a Wish Foundation and Women for Women International.
So what am I thankful for, in 200 words or less? Well, let’s see.
I thank God for giving me life and health and happiness and everything in between. I’m thankful that the wonderful Lisa is now in my life, and for my brother and sister and my friends who have always stood by me, accepted me and loved me for who I am. I’m thankful for having a nice job, for first snowfalls, for autumn leaves, and for mountain views after long hikes. I’m thankful for all those in the world who do good for others who are less fortunate than they, including all the charities you see to your right. I’m thankful for wonderful parents who loved me more than anything, taught me well and whom I hope I am honoring the memory of in my life today. I’m thankful for childrens’ giggles and smiles from strangers I never knew. I’m thankful for Peter Luger’s steaks and fresh sushi and sweet grapes and watermelons. And—I’m not just saying this to suck up to you J— I’m thankful for YOU, that there are still those in the world who care enough to be looking at silly little sites like mine for ideas on how you can help others.
So what are you most thankful for? Leave a comment on this post (it can be anonymous). Trust me, it’s a very good exercise to do 🙂
Have a wonderful New Year!
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Mario Batali Lunch Box
December 28th, 2010 · Children's Charities, World Hunger
Some of the proceeds will go to The Lunch Box Auction Fund, a cause Mario Batali supports to feed children-in-need and give them opportunities to learn and grow.
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2010 Barnabas Bear for the James Fund
December 25th, 2010 · The James Fund
Each year, Family Christian Stores and The James Fund releases a stuffed Barnabas Bear
toy. This year’s edition features Barnabas bear, holding his own little toy bear!
You can choose to purchase your own for $10, or for the same $10 you can designate to have it sent to a suffering child to brighten his or her day. Your donation will cover the cost to purchase these adorable bears and ship them to groups in the communities served by Family Christian Stores.
Since 2003, Family Christian Stores has delivered more than one million Barnabas Bears to children in need. As you open the presents this Christmas, remember that there are some in the world who could use a smile.
The money raised covers the cost to purchase these adorable bears and ship them to groups in the communities served by Family Christian Stores.
Since 2003, Family Christian Stores has delivered more than one million Barnabas Bears.
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The Best Last Minute Christmas Gift for 2010 – TisBest Gift Cards
December 22nd, 2010 · TisBest
Oh oh. It’s three days to Christmas and you haven’t found anything for that special someone in your life. What to do?
You could go for a last minute gift sent from a company like 1-800-FLOWERS.COM or FTD.com
, but as someone who’s worked in the florist industry before, your chances of getting a gift that will “wow” them is about 50-50 (florists often close early before Christmas and/or they run out of supplies to make the best arrangements).
You could send an email gift card from Amazon
No, the best last minute gift I can think of are TisBest Charity Gift Cards.
Buying a Gift Card
The concept behind TisBest is simple. You give a gift card of any amount you choose (either a physical gift card that’s mailed or, if you want them to get it before Christmas, a gift card you can print on your printer or email to your receipient). But instead of your gift being used to buy another to add to the pile of Christmas gifts they’ve gotten, it goes to help charities in need.
And charities are in need more than ever these days. Whenever the economy turns south as it has recently, charitable giving tends to suffer as people hunker down and limit their spending. This has happened to charities this year, and they’re hurting. Americans are a giving people. It’s easy to give out of abundance. But when times are tough, that’s when giving really counts the most (the widow’s mite comes to mind).
The experience your recipient has with TisBest cards (whether you’re giving to an individual or to a group of people) is far, far superior to the old system where you’d write “A donation has been made in your name to such-and-such charity” because it puts the recipient in charge. Instead of passively reading your card and throwing it into the trash, with a TisBest charity gift card they can go to a Web site and apply your donation to up to three charities which mean a lot to them, whether they have a loved one suffering from an illness or have a particular cause which they are passionate about.
Your Recipient’s Experience Redeeming the Gift Card
Once your recipient gets the gift card, they can go to the TisBest site and enter the gift code:
On the next screen, they’ll be able to choose from a number of well-known charities in these areas:
– Animal Causes
– Art and Culture
– Building Community
– Children
– Disabilities
– Education
– Environment
– Faith Based
– Health
– Homelessness
– Human Rights
– Humanitarian
– Hunger
– Peace & Non-Violence
– Senior Citizens
– Sports & Recreation
– Women’s Issues
The site is easy and fun to use, and your recipient will definitely be able to find many charities they’d love to support. And having gone through this myself, it’s definitely a wonderful and heartwarming experience to go through the list of charities and decide where the donation should go to (your recipient can choose up to three, and the amount will be allocated across all three). There are a few charities which I would have liked to see (namely, the Lupus Foundation and the American Liver Foundation), but even so, there are definitely plenty to choose from.
On the next screen, your recipient can optionally write a note back to you which will tell you which charities they donated to.
On the last screen, your recipient can optionally submit their email addresses to the organizations to be thanked personally by them.
That’s it. It was literally one of the most pleasant Web site experiences I’ve had.
TisBest reports that this year, Americans will spend $510 on Christmas gifts. There’ll be the usual gifts, sweaters and ties, iPods and Kindles, gift baskets and toys. But TisBest issued a challenge–what if we were to take just 10% of that, $51, and help out a charity? The money we spend would last much longer than any of those other presents, as would the great feeling of helping those who are less fortunate than us.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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