Charitable Gift Giving

We surf the Web to find good products that help out a great cause.

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Last minute Christmas Gifts that Help Toys for Tots

December 21st, 2009 · 1-800-Flowers.com, Children's Charities, Toys for Tots

So you’ve done it again. You got presents for everyone on your list, but lo and behold you get something from someone you’d totally forgotten about.

You could do the scramble to the local Starbucks and pick up that last gift card, the gift that says “I thought about you AND I have a Starbucks near me that was open on Christmas”. Or, you could choose a professionally designed flower arrangement, poinsettia, or centerpiece delivered to their door, even if you order today (I would recommend placing your order for arrival on 12/24; anything past that may not get delivered before Christmas because florist shops may be closing).

When you buy a gift from the Toys for Tots collection at 1-800-Flowers and use promotion code TOYS, 10% of proceeds will go to help Toys for Tots.  So when you’re remembering not to forget whom you forgot, you sould also remember not to forget the forgotten.

Ho ho ho! 🙂

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Gifts from the Women's Peace Collection

December 19th, 2009 · Developing Areas

afghanistan scarfIn regions around the world torn by conflict, war and poverty, women are often the hardest hit. When the men in their families disappear or are lost, they are suddenly left not only to raise their families, but to support them. And worse, educational opportunities are often limited. And this feeds an endless cycle of poverty and despair.

 The Women’s Peace Collection is an amazing organization which supports women in regions of conflict and post-conflict. It allows women to support themselves and their families through meaningful enterprise. This accomplishes many amazing things. They can support their families, and perhaps just as important, it gives them hope and lets them feel confidence and self-worth, and hope that they can transform their world.

The silk scarf shown above comes from Afghanistan. A woman named Nasima started a small enterprise after her husband was killed by the Taliban, bringing together the finest silk weavers in the area to revive this ancient Afghan tradition. Today, her business is thriving, and she is helping other woman in Afghanistan. Hers is just one of many amazing stories.

To view other gifts from around the world, visit the collection at http://womenspeacecollection.com/

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Adopt a Polar Bear from the World Wildlife Fund

December 17th, 2009 · Animal Causes, World Wildlife Fund

See the cute little guy to the left. Now imagine him 30″ tall. That what you’ll get with a donation to the World Wildlife Fund when you adopt a polar bear. For a donation of $250, you get the giant polar bear and a framed certificate with a photo of a polar bear and her cub. You can also get a variety of other stuffed animals for less.

Aside from being a cuddly toy to play with, it’s also a great reminder of the plight of the polar bear throughout the arctic circle, an animal dealing with climate change occuring in the arctic circle. Your donation will help conservation efforts for this great species.

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Cute Bear from Pottery Barn Kids

December 15th, 2009 · Cancer, Children's Charities

pottery barn kids bearThis adorable bear’s name is Oatmeal. He’s available from Pottery Barn Kids for only $20. He’s a full 20 inches tall and is huggably soft.$10 will go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to support research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

It makes a wonderful and meaningful Christmas present, and can help those who need it.

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Baby shirt and hat that helps ocean conservation

December 13th, 2009 · Conservation, Uncommon Goods

Little Squirt BabysuitTM and Hat is a super-soft baby suit and hat made of 100% organic cotton and designed exclusively by UncommonGoods.

There’s an oh-so-cute line drawing of a whale with the words “little squirt” on the front, and on the butt, there’s the logo of the National Marine Santuaries, a non-profit organization that creates conservation-based research, education and outreach programs for the nation’s marine sanctuaries. Five percent of the purchase price of each babysuit goes to support ocean conservation efforts there.

It’s made in the USA, printed with infant-safe, environmentally-friendly water-based dyes and fits babies aged 6-12 months.

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Lush Charity Pot: the best lotion, helping some of the best causes

December 11th, 2009 · LUSH

There are bath products, and there’s Lush. Lush produces some of the most innovative bath, soap, lotion and cosmetic products you can buy. Unlike the mass cosmetic companies, Lush is completely friendly to the planet. They use the freshest organic ingredients which are sourced in a ethical and renewable way, products are hand-made, products are never tested on animals, and packaging is environmentally friendly. And all their products, from their “bath bombs” (think Alka-Seltzer, but for your bathtub) to their lip balm, to their shampoo is unique and a ton of fun.

Their Charity Pot Body Lotion is one of their body lotion products. It contains natural oils and fair trade cocoa butter with fragrance of ylang ylang, geranium and marigold essential oils. You’ll be hard-pressed to go to your local department store and find a product so natural, which of course is best for your hands and body.

100% of the retail price, not just the profits but the whole price you pay excluding taxes, is donated directly to a number of great charities, including Opportunitas Aequa, Sea Shepherd, Clean Ocean Action, Amazon Conservation Team, Tree People, UNICEF’s Unite for Children, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Watercan, Ocean Conservacy, Oceana, Bicycles for Humanity, ECOVA MALI, Tall Ship, and Earthroots.

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Beautiful Pillar Candles that help a great cause

December 8th, 2009 · Uncategorized

Every now and then I come across a product which is so incredibly good I just want to shout it to the world. This is one of them.

A few weeks ago, Mara from Black and Light Co. left a comment asking if I could feature their company’s selection of candles which benefitted two important causes: a children’s charity called Airline Ambassadors International and the research at UC Davis to protect the honeybee.

The causes were certainly important, but in all honesty I wasn’t expecting much from the product. I figured a candle was a candle. Boy was I wrong.

I received the candles, and right when I opened the box,  I knew this was going to be special. The candles came neatly packed in a sturdy cardboard box. Inside was an information card, as well as the boxes containing the candles, both neatly wrapped in tissue paper. It even came with matchboxes with the Black and Light Co logo on them! I excitedly opened the first candle:

 joy pillar candle

This was one of several “inspirational” candle designs where proceeds go to help underprivileged children and families in communities around the world.

bee candles

This is a design of bees, available in multiple colors. Proceeds from sales of this candle go to the efforts at U.C. Davis to help the struggling honeybee, whose numbers have been dwindling year after year.

The candle is a very sturdy and solidly made pillar candle. With the “inspirational series” that benefits children, inspirational words (in this case “Joy”) are elegantly carved right into the candle, providing a dramatic contrast when you hold it to the light or light it.

joy pillar candle

I was even impressed by the box itself. It’s a gift in itself, designed so that you can peel off the easy-to-remove Black and Light Co label and use it for your own gifts.

candle box

The most impressive things about these candles are when you burn them. I lit the bee candle…

lighting pillar candle

…and it’s when I turned out the light that the magic happened.

pillar candle burning bright

With other candles I’ve owned over the years, only the burning wick emits light, and the rest of the candle just absorbs all the light. With these candles, the entire candle, from top to bottom, emit a warm, cozy glow throughout the burning process. It is nothing short of amazing.

Some other things I loved about these candles:

  • They’re odorless. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I think scented candles are a bit overdone nowadays. They’re like spraying your room with bottles of perfume and cologne. Give me a clean, unscented candle any day.
  • They’re made in the USA. I was in CVS yesterday and was saddened to see all the Christmas decorations were made in China. The difference between those products and these were like night and day. One thing we in this country need to realize: you get what you pay for.
  • They’re of amazing quality. Each candle takes over three days in production, and they last three times longer than an average candle you buy in stores.

Last but not least, this is a company that helps others. The company provides employment to disabled workers, and the purchase of candles like the above help great causes. As Christmas approaches, I can’t think of a better present to give to the special people in your life.

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Bracelet from Made By Survivors

December 5th, 2009 · Uncategorized

bracelet by made my survivorsThis beautiful bracelet is made up of four strands of stones of all colors, including turquoise and jade grace. It’s not only a wonderful bracelet, but supports a wonderful cause.Made By Survivors is an international organization dedicated to ending the scourge of modern day slavery and human trafficking. Believe it or not, such inhuman practices exist today. Among other things, the organization helps integrate survivors of slavery back into society by creating jobs and supporting shelters. The bracelet you see is one of many beautiful gifts handcrafted and made by survivors in shelters around the world. For more, visit http://store.madebysurvivors.com/.

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Tribute Album to Woodie Guthrie

December 2nd, 2009 · Arts

Moses Asch founded Folkways Records in 1948, with a mission to record and document music from around the world. It was an early supporter of artists like Pete Seeger, Leadbelly and Woodie Guthrie, whose music went on to influence nearly every genre of music today, from country music to rock.

 Upon Asch’s death in 1968, the Smithsonian Institution carried on the mission to ensure the sounds and artists would be preserved for future generations. They agreed to continue Asch’s policy that all of the original 2,168 titles would stay in print indefinitely regardless of sales.

Folkways: A Vision Shared – A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly is a tribute album of covers of Woodie Guthrie folk songs by diverse artists who have been influenced by his music, including Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and many more.

Proceeds will go directly towards continuing this great organization’s mission.

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United Airline Bear to support kids in need

November 29th, 2009 · Cancer, Children's Charities

united airlines teddy bear

For the third year in a row, United Airlines and the American Cancer Society are releasing a limited edition teddy bear sporting the name of a cute-but-horrendous pun. Year one saw the huggable “Kenny Hugyou”, followed by his sister the next year “Maye I. Hugyou”. This year’s bear is the third-born in the family, “Holden Hugyou”. I can’t wait to hear what they come up with next year. Ivana Hugyou? Lemmy Hugyou? Kishan Hugyou?

For the third year in a row, for a $50 donation (or donation of 7500 United miles), United will donate one bear to a child suffering from cancer in one of 40 children’s hospitals around the country. It’s rare that $50 can go so far.

For a donation of $250, you can have a bear delivered both to a sick child and to a loved one in your life, so he or she can enjoy the oversized (14 inch) teddy bear by Gund (which is the most huggably soft bear you’ll find anywhere). You can also use the opportunity to teach your child about the importance of caring and supporting kids like them who are suffering and in need.

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