Charitable Gift Giving

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

Charitable Gift Giving header image 1

Stop Violence in the Home Lip Balm

June 10th, 2008 · Domestic Violence, Fair Trade, The Body Shop

Domestic violence is one of the most horrible scourges of this society. It’s a crime that often goes unreported and results in the lives of women and their families being torn asunder.

The Body Shop Stop Violence in the Home Lip Care Stick is a small way to show support for ending this scourge. $2 of proceeds for each stick sold supports the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The lip balm itself is made of organic beeswax, which confitions the skin and promotes healing by sealing in moisture. Another benefit of this product is that because the product is from The Body Shop, they acquire their beeswax from the tropical forests of Northwest Zambia, where fair trade practices help more than 3,000 beekeepers sustain their traditional way of life.

It’s not often that one purchase can help end domestic violence and support needy workers in emerging economies.

→ No CommentsTags:

Women's Fitness Gloves that go to help a great cause

June 7th, 2008 · Cancer, Foot Locker

These Saranac Women’s Core Fitness Glovesicon available from Foot Locker are a great gift for the fitness nut in your life. They’re specially desined for female hands, are durable, and have an ergonomic gel padded palm.

They’re great protect the hands during workouts and sports. A great gift for the woman who goes to the gym a lot. It’s fully washable, and best thing about it is a portion of the proceeds will go to cancer research and support programs.

→ No CommentsTags:

Carribbean Cookbook from Morgan Freeman

June 4th, 2008 · Cooking.Com

Morgan Freeman and FriendsThe tiny island of Grenada was completely devastated by an hurricane a few years ago, destroying homes and families. They are still recovering from it today. In response, Morgan Freeman established the Grenada Relief Fund.

This great cookbook, Morgan Freeman and Friends, is a great cookbook that Freeman put together to help provide support for the island he loves so much.

The cookbook brings together more than 15 celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Hilary Swank, and Michael Douglas, sharing their favorite Caribbean recipes. These aren’t just silly recipes either–the grilled Swordfish Steak with Lemon Caperberry Butter from Morgan Freeman is a winner, as is Kenny Chesney’s Key Lime Pie. The book is filled with full color photos of the stars talking about how much the Caribbean islands mean to them.

And in addition to the stars’ recipes, there are recipes from chefs from top-rated Caribbean resorts, many of which have never been revealed until now.

Morgan Freeman is donating 100% of his proceeds to the Grenada Relief Fund.

→ No CommentsTags:

Don't go hiking without this Hiking Survival Kit!

June 1st, 2008 · Drugstore.com

Now that summer’s here, you may be planning a hiking trip. You’ve no doubt heard horrific stories in the past year in the news of people who have gone on trips to remote locations, but unexpectedly found themselves in harrowing situations. Here’s a kit that may be a life saver–literally.

The Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pak is a personal survival kit that contains an amazing amount of things that are essential for any hiking trip, short or long.

It contains:

  • An extremely loud whistle for calling for help, ultra light but triple the volume of ordinary whistles.
  • A signal mirror, visible for over 20 miles.
  • A compass.
  • A waterproof, official firestarter.
  • Tinder-Quick for kindling a fire easily.
  • Duct tape. Great for improvising in a pinch.
  • Scalpel blade. Sharper than a razor blade.
  • Utility wire.
  • Nylon thread.
  • Nylon cord.
  • Lens magnifier for reading if you lose your glasses or for starting a fire.
  • Fish hooks, sinkers, and snap swivel for fishing if you run out of food.
  • Aluminum foil for making containers for boiling water or reflecting sunlight.
  • Safety pins for repairs or securing gear.
  • Pencil and waterproof note paper.
  • Survival instructions with detailed, easy to understand, practical information on: setting a plan of action, building shelter, starting fires, obtaining water and food; distress signaling; travel; and how to use the items in this kit to save your life.  Includes 33 illustrations!

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this kit supports the Equipped To Survive Foundation (www.equipped.org).

→ No CommentsTags:

Celebrate Phoenix's arrival on Mars with the Official Mars Institute Patch

May 29th, 2008 · Mars Institute, The Space Store

Mars pictures

Did you know that this past Sunday, NASA successfully landed on Mars? The photo above comes to you directly from the surface of Mars just a few days ago.

Many of you might remember the Mars Rover missions that were launched in 2004. Since then, thousands of photos from the Martian surface have been taken of the areas of Mars where those missions landed.

Just this past weekend, NASA made a perfect landing of a new lander onto Mars named Phoenix, this time in a brand new, never explored area of Mars–its Arctic region.

I often marvel at how much time the news media spends on celebrity gossip or dissecting some politician’s words ad nauseum, but seems to ignore amazing news like this.  Here we are, exploring a new world that has never been seen before, getting crystal clear pictures from the very surface of Mars which has never been seen before.

Even if the news media focuses on things that waste our time, as a parent or teacher, than goodness you can go directly to NASA’s site to view every single picture taken by the lander. The picture you see above was one of the first ones taken, but over the next few weeks and years, be prepared to be amazed at other pictures in color, in stereo (3D) and more. All for free. To read more about Phoenix’s exciting new mission, and see images from Mars literally as they are transmitted to Earth from the surface of Mars, see http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/index.html

Watching a man walk on Mars may or may not happen in our lifetime, but it almost certainly will happen in your kids’ lifetimes. Get them excited about the new journey with this official Mars Institute patch. The Mars Institute is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to helping to promote research and exploration of Mars and educational programs.

 It was founded by some of the top scientists in the world, including top NASA scientists. At a time when Congress looks to cut more and more scientific and research funds, such independent-thinking is truly revolutionary. Already, they are instrumental in doing engineering and planning for future manned Mars missions through such developments as the Humvee Rover.

You can help in your own little way by purchasing this patch, proceeds of which will go to the Mars Institute. Of course, the money that goes from here is a pittance, but perhaps the more important investment will be getting your child excited about the journey and the possibilities. And if you’re an educator, what better way to excite your students by giving them an official patch that the top scientists in the world wear?

Mars Institute Logo Patch

Mars Institute Logo Patch


Mars Institute Mars-1 Humvee Rover Patch

Mars Institute Mars-1 Humvee Rover Patch

→ No CommentsTags:

Give a meaningful gift to the USO and get one back

May 26th, 2008 · USO


Happy Memorial Day!

As you’re enjoying your weekend of barbeques and fireworks and the start of summer, remember to take a few moments to reflect on what made the day necessary.

The commemoration of Memorial Day (then known as Declaration Day) started in 1866 in Waterloo, New York, to remember the Union soldiers who had fallen in the civil war. The name “Memorial Day” became common after World War II, and in 1968 it was moved to Monday and declared a federal holiday.

Is it proper to have fun and to celebrate on Memorial Day? Of course it is–this is precisely what our armed forces fight for. While countries around the world are ravaged by dictatorships and corrupt  governments and oppression and terror, we can enjoy freedom given to us by God and protected by the brave men and women who fight those who would take it away from us.

So this Memorial Day, enjoy the freedom, but remember to give a little back. Click on the banner above to give a donation to the USO, a non-profit organization that’s funded entirely by people like you and me (while they were founded by an act of Congress, contrary to popular opinion, they get zero funding from the government or the military), which supports our troops by providing “morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform” and “representing the American people by extending a touch of home to the military.”

 In thanks for your contribution, the USO will send you a 3′ x 5′ American Flag, which you can display proudly or give to a young person in your life to remind them that freedom isn’t free.

→ No CommentsTags:

Aluminum Cookware Set

May 23rd, 2008 · Cooking.Com, Weil Foundation

Dr. Andrew Weil from Spring Switzerland 8-pc. Cookware setDr. Andrew Weil is a doctor who has introduced a line of cookware and cooking appliances (partnering with Spring Switzerland) to promote healthy living. All profits from sales of these products go to his non-profit foundation, which supports training, education, and research for integrative medicine and healthier living.

The Dr. Andrew Weil from Spring Switzerland 8-pc. Cookware set is a high-end 8-piece cookware set with all the pots and pans you’ll ever need (literally–they have a lifetime warranty). They are made of 5-ploy bonded stainless steel, with an aluminum core that distributes heat evenly andquickly. The riveted handles stay cool to the touch, and they’re dishwasher safe.

Stay tuned for other great products from this great idea.

→ 1 CommentTags:

Best Rice Cooker

May 20th, 2008 · Cooking.Com, Weil Foundation

Dr. Andrew Weil from Spring Switzerland 10-c. Rice CookerHere’s another product by Dr. Andrew Weil, the best rice cooker I’ve seen in a while–it’s the Dr. Andrew Weil from Spring Switzerland 10-c. Rice Cooker.

Cooking rice on a stove or in a cheap $10 rice cooker yields okay results, but this rice cooker takes it to the next level. Its “fuzzy logic” yields wonderful fluffy rice every time. It has settings for white, brown, or quick rice (jasmine, basmati, sushi), and does things you wouldn’t expect a rice cooker to do: it steams vegetables and dumpings, cooks dried beans and grains, cooks soups, or make a combination meal. The timer lets you put a whole meal in the morning and return home to a fully cooked meal. As if this weren’t enough, a recipe book is included with great recipes.

Profits go to the Weil Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on promoting healthy living through education and research.

→ No CommentsTags:

A thoughtful gift for someone who's lost a pet

May 17th, 2008 · Animal Causes, Uncommon Goods


gift for loss of a peticonWhen Martha Stewart was devastated at losing her pet dog Paw Paw last month, of course there were those who didn’t understand what the commotion was about.

But any of us who’ve had a pet we’ve loved for many years, who became part of the family, who is remembered in family photo albums and cherished memories of happy times know how devastating it is to lose a pet.

This Pet Life Celebration Kit is a thoughtful sympathy gift for someone who’s lost a beloved dog or cat. Many people don’t know how to grieve the loss of a pet.  This kit will help the pet owner remember their pet’s memory, and start the healing process. It was designed by an artist, Claire Chew, who herself lost her cherished dog Sophie. Aside from volunteering for local animal rescue groups, Claire has committed a portion of proceeds to be donated to various animal charities.

The Kit contains a keepsake bag for keeping the pet’s collar, ID tag, toy, or another memory. It also contains a memorial candle with a comforting scent, and remembrance cards.  It has a gift card that you can fill out, and a keepsake photo frame. 

 It makes a thoughtful gift for someone in your life who has lost their best friend.

 icon

→ No CommentsTags:

Best kitchen knife set that helps a good cause

May 13th, 2008 · Children's Charities, Cooking.Com, Share Our Strength

Rachael Ray from Furi 4-pc. Rachael Ray Gusto-Grip Trio Cutlery Set with Case

Finding the perfect set of knifes for cooking is not an easy task. But just read the reviews for this knife set on Cooking.Com, and you’ll see how thrilled people are with it.

 The Rachael Ray from Furi 4-pc. Rachael Ray Gusto-Grip Trio Cutlery Set with Case is a set of the knives that Rachael Ray uses on her show. They’re among the sharpest knives you’ll find, made of German CrMoV stainless steel and manufactured by Füritechnics, a producer of professional cooking equipment.

The handle is manufactured in a way that is ergonomically designed, making the grip safe and secure in your hand–the harder you cut, the more the knife locks in your hand, making it extremely safe and easy to control.

The material of the grip is specially manufactured to prevent degradation the handle material over time, something common in other knives. This kit contains three knives: a six-inch utility knife, a five-inch east-west knife (a cook’s knife and chopper), and a 3 1/2 inch paring knife, as well as a carrying box.

As with many of Rachael Ray’s licensed products, a portion of this purchase goes to charity, in this case Share our Strength, a wonderful charity that is committed to ending childhood hunger.

→ No CommentsTags: