Charitable Gift Giving

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

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Red Flower Ceramic Tile Box from NOVICA

February 1st, 2008 · Novica

Ceramic tile box, 'Red Flower'
Have you ever heard of Novica.com? This is an amazing online store, in association with the National Geographic Society, that provides a market for artists and artisans around the world. The brilliance of this site is that all products sold on it go to help others. You benefit because you get to purchase an incredible handcrafted piece of art that you would have otherwise had to travel around the world to get; and in appreciating their art, you help struggling artists in underdeveloped or developing nations build their lives.

Definitely surf the site for a huge variety of sculpture, painting, jewelry, handicrafts, and more. The item picture above is just one example. This
ceramic tile box was crafted in Brazil, and proceeds from your purchase go to benefit the Mei Mei Association, which has assisted 600 families, provided a nursery for 140 toddlers, and guided 260 children with assisted learning and provides medical care through the volunteer work of doctors, dentists, psychologists, and social workers.

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Blinking Bicycle Tail Light

January 29th, 2008 · Amazon, Bike Advocacy

bike tail lightHere is a great gift for the bicyclist in your life. It’s a Blinking Bike Tail Light that can be seen up to a mile away.

Last year, I made a determination to bike the 15 miles to work one day. I quickly found that New York roads and New York drivers weren’t exactly bicycle-friendly. At least two times, I nearly got sideswiped by trucks. I also nearly rode off the road because the shoulder of the road was crumbling.

Let’s just say it was something of a miracle that I didn’t end up as roadkill.

What’s nice about this flashing light is that it’s hard to miss. The flashing pattern is unique, and catches the eye. It’s durable, and will survive falling off the bike without shattering in a million pieces.

Best thing about it–25% of funds go to bike advocacy. The world needs more bikers, and bike-friendly roads. I always find it funny how people will pay $50 for a tank of gas, pay $50 to join the gym. Why not kill two birds with one stone–leave the car in the garage, bike to work, and get a free workout?

This tail light is sold by Planet Bike through Amazon.Com.

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Illustrators from Children's Picture Books share their secrets

January 26th, 2008 · Amazon

Illustrators Talk to Children About Their ArtArtist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art is a beautiful anthology from 23 of the world’s most famous children’s book illustrators, from Maurice Sendak to Robert Sabuda to Rosemary Wells, to Eric Carle.


It’s a remarkable book where these accomplish artists write directly to kids, sharing “secrets” about their art and talking about how they got started. There are beautiful illustrations of their work, including full-color finished art, as well as photographs of their early art, their studio and materials, sketches, and even self-portraits.

If your child is interested in art, or in the works of these great artists, this is a terrific book to share with them. Proceeds benefit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the museum in Amherst, Massachusetts that is dedicated to children’s picture books.

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Adopt an Animal (and get a Cute Stuffed Animal)

January 23rd, 2008 · Conservation, National Wildlife Federation

Adopt an animalThe National Wildlife Federation, based in Washington, DC, is one of the leading conservation organizations. You may recall its annual holiday wildlife stamps or its popular Ranger Rick magazine for children.

One very meaningful gift is giving the gift of “adopting” an endangered animal. You don’t adopt an actual animal, of course, but it’s a great way to bring awareness of the plight of many of these endangered species. You can choose from polar bears, moose, desert tortoises, grey wolves, Canadian lynx, and grizzly bears, all species in North America whose populations have been decimated. In thanks for your tax-deductible gift, you’ll get a stuffed animal representing the animal you “adopted”, as well as a downloadable “certificate of adoption”, a screensaver, and other bonuses.

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Leather Pillows that help to support children and families in Africa

January 20th, 2008 · Arts, National Geographic

African Embellished Leather Pillows - Circular DesignsThere are throw pillows, and there are throw pillows.

If you need a beautiful home accessory, consider these African Embellished Leather Pillows. They’re not mass-produced in some factory somewhere–these are high quality leather goods hand-stiched by women working in a Maasai village near the Tanzanian border, in the shadow of Kenya’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, and finished by women of the Kikuyu tribe near Nairobi.

The product is available from National Geographic Society, which also supports the craft enterprise. Income directly benefits the women in these African nations, who use the proceeds to feed their families and send their children to school. It’s a great gift for someone who wishes to be fashionable, and know that they are also helping to support hard workers in developing countries.

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LUSH Charity Pot – Handmade, Fresh Lotion, Cosmetics and Bath Products that help great causes

January 17th, 2008 · Animal Causes, Conservation, Fair Trade, LUSH

LUSH Cosmetics is a company that really takes “socially responsible” selling to the next level. If you haven’t heard of them, you will soon. Their products are among the nicest smelling, feeling, looking cosmetics in the world, and have a growing following. And unlike many of the big cosmetics companies, they are extremely rigrous about selling only a socially responsible product. For example:

  • They use only fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, essential oils, and the safest synthetics, which is better for your skin and ultimately more effective than standard cosmetics.
  • Products are all hand-made in their own factories.
  • Many of the products are vegan.
  • None of the products are tested on animals.
  • They use minimal or recyclable packaging.
  • They use “Fair Trade” principles, ensuring that workers, especially in developing countries, are treated with dignity and paid a fair wage.

The company sells cosmetics, shampoo, soap, shower gels, moisturizers, bubble baths, or lip balm, all natural and handmade. The company gives generously to animal rights, humanitarian,and environmental charities.

The Charity Pot Body Lotion is extremely unique, in that a full 100% of sales (minus taxes) go directly to worthy causes. It is made with pure cocoa butter from the Ivory Coast and the Dominican Republic gathered under fair trade principles. It also contains geranium, tagetes and ylang ylang essential oils to heal and cleanse, and almond oil to leave skin soft and smelling wonderful.

While I recommend every product on the site, this is a special one. It’s not often that one jar of lotion goes so far.

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A steak knife kit that helps fight hunger

January 14th, 2008 · Cooking.Com, SOS Anti-Hunger Program, World Hunger

Henckels 8-pc. Stainless Steak Knife Set with Wood Case
The Henckels 8-pc. Stainless Steak Knife Set with Wood Case
 is one of the best-selling steak knife gift kits on Cooking.Com.

Henckels is one of the world’s premier manufacturers of knives. These knives are made of high-carbon stainless steel. The handles are countoured and have been polished to a dramatic shine. The edges of the knives are serrated for precise cutting, and are stamped to show that they are authentic Henckels products.

The knives come in a beautiful rosewood presentation box. It makes a great gift for someone with exquisite taste in steaks–and in knives. And a portion of every gift set sold will be donated to the Share Our Strength (SOS) Anti Hunger Program.

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Gift that supports Make-a-Wish Foundation: Keepsake Box

January 11th, 2008 · Make-A-Wish Foundation, Things Remembered

Make-a-Wish Keepsake BoxOne of the fun things about shopping in January is looking for great deals from retailers who are looking to clear things from their inventory that they’d stockpiled for Christmas.

Here’s a great Make-A-Wish Keepsake Box
icon from the folks at Things Remembered. It originally sold for $35, but they’ve slashed the price to only $15. But they still remain by their pledge to donate $5 of the purchase price to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

It’s a great keepsake box that can be used for collectibles like jewelry, rare coins, charms, trinkets, or whatever else you can think of. The box itself is studded with aurora borealis crystals that give off a rainbow effect. It also comes with five “stars” representing dream, hope, peace, and love, and the Make-a-Wish logo.

Hurry–this probably won’t last long!

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Hot Chocolate Set for Breast Cancer Research

January 8th, 2008 · Breast Cancer, Cooking.Com, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Bonjour 4-pc. Hot Chocolate Making Set, Pink

The weather outside may be frightful, but here’s a sure cure.

This pink Bonjour 4-pc. Hot Chocolate Making Set is a bit of a throwback to antique chocolate pots from the 1800’s. You’ll be astounded at the creamy hot chocolate that it makes, and you can even watch the automatic mixer as it combines the hot milk and chocolate. It comes with two mugs.

As you can probably guess by the color, proceeds of purchases from this product from now until 7/31/2008 will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure fight against breast cancer.

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Macy's "Path to Peace" collection of baskets handcrafted in Rwanda

January 5th, 2008 · Macys

The Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace Collection is a great example of how a big company can make a difference.

In 1994, the African nation of Rwanda was torn apart by a brutal genocide. In about 100 days, close to one million Rwandan citizens were murdered. Left behind was a population of 70% women, widows who were suddenly faced with the frightening and daunting task of supporting their families, rebuilding their communities, and taking back their lives. The women, who had never earned money in their lives, turned back to their heritage of weaving.

In 2002, the Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) visited the country and was struck by how beautiful they were. She reached out to American businesswoman Willa Shalit, who in turn reached out to partners in the United States. By 2005, Macy’s had begun to sell these baskets online and at their flagship store in New York.

Three years later, the program is still going on strong. Thousands of Rwandan weavers take part of this effort each year. By purchasing these baskets, you not only can have some authentic, hand-crafted and hand-woven African crafts in your home–you can help provide thousands of rural women in Rwanda with sustainable income to rebuild their lives and their country. They make thoughtful and meaningful gifts, especially once the person you’re giving it to hears the incredible story behind them.

The “Thousand Hills” Bowl pictured above is my personal favorite.

Here are some other amazing creations:

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