Charitable Gift Giving

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

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PursePal – Keep your purse secure and help a great cause

February 22nd, 2008 · Breast Cancer, Conservation, North Shore Animal League

Purse PalLadies (and guys with “man-bags”), here’s one of those great ideas that you wonder what you ever did without.

It’s an age-old question: what do you do with your purse when you go to a restaurant? Keep it in your lap all evening? Put it on the floor and risk getting it dirty or worse, stolen?

The folks at PursePal came up with this interesting little gadget that lets you actually hang your purse from the table, so it’s out of the way all evening, but never out of sight. You can get it for big bags or smaller bags. And with this particular design, a portion of your payment goes to the North Shore Animal League, an no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization on Long Island. The PursePal is available straight from the manufacturer’s Web site. PursePals are also available with special designs in support of conservation, cancer research, and more great causes.

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New Orleans Cookbook

February 18th, 2008 · Amazon, Habitat for Humanity

New Orleans Food Cookbook

Tom Fitzmorris started the New Orleans MENU in 1977, a famous review of New Orleans dining. He is probably best known for his daily radio show called “The Food Show”. Born and raised in New Orleans, he understands the ins and outs of New Orleans cooking.

I got a chance to visit New Orleans a year before Katrina. I ate an ate and ate for three days. Beignets, crawfish, jumbalaya, gumbo, you name it. When the hurricane hit, I wondered how long before the city could rebuild itself.

The New Orleans Food Cookbook is a cookbook that is helping. A portion of proceeds will benefit the recovery efforts in New Orleans.

The cookbook has over 225 creole and New Orleans staples. From some of the reviews, here are some dishes you can make yourself: Louisiana Seafood Pasta, Red Bean Soup, Redfish Herbsaint, Bananas Foster, Beignets, Shrimp Limone, Crab cakes, Jambalaya with oysters, Shrimp Remoulade, Redfish Herbsaint, Root Beer-Glazed Ham, and Cafe au Lait.

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Book for Animal Lovers – Rescuing Sprite by Mark Levin

February 15th, 2008 · Amazon, Animal Causes

Rescuing SpriteMark Levin is a radio personality in New York, as well as one of the nation’s top constitutional lawyers.

But this great book, Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish, has nothing to do with politics or law. It has to do with a little dog, named Sprite. And it’s a great read.

In 1998, the Levin family welcomed a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel named Pepsi into their lives. Six years later, they adopted a friend, named Sprite, from the local shelter.

Sprite’s gentle and huggable nature endeared him to the Levins, and he and Pepsi were inseparable. But one day, Sprite collapsed and was rushed to the animal hospital. The book documents the highs and the lows as Mark, his wife, and his teenage kids were brought together by this little dog’s spirit. It’s an amazing and touching story of how a little dog can teach us so much. In Mark Levin’s own words, “in the end, we humans are the lucky ones.”

A portion of proceeds are donated to animal shelters.

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Charity Bouquets from Giftback.Com

February 11th, 2008 · Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Giftback.com

Charity BouquetsI always love to check out Giftback.Com before a big holiday for gifts that give three times. First, your loved one gets a high quality flower arrangement or gift. Second, 10% of EVERY purchase on that site goes to a charity you choose. Third, this specific assortment of gifts donate an additional $3 to the specified charity.

Choose from spa baskets that help the Carol Baldwin breast cancer charity or the Christopher and Dana Reeves charity to help the paralyzed. Or, choose from some great rose bouquets or tulip bouquets.

You’ve only got a couple days to get something in time for Valentine’s Day, so hurry!

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The perfect Valentine's Day Gift for Guys – The Product(RED) iPod

February 8th, 2008 · (PRODUCT) Red, AIDS, Apple

It can be somewhat of a challenge to find a Valentine’s Day gift for a guy. While guys can shop for flowers, roses, jewelry, and spa baskets, ladies often have a harder time finding something to give in return.

Your search has ended. Here is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a guy. The Apple iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is Apple’s entry into the (PRODUCT) RED series. (RED) is an organization formed by Bono, which partners with major companies who produce red-colored products, proceeds of which go to fight AIDS and hunger in Africa.

Not only is the red color perfect for Valentine’s Day, it’s also in my opinion the nicest looking iPod out there. And you pay the same price for it that you pay for any other iPod.

This Valentine’s Day, give him a gift he’ll cherish forever. Or, get him to re-gift it back to you once your roses wilt away 🙂

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Valentine's Day Roses that Support the fight against Breast Cancer

February 6th, 2008 · 1-800-Flowers.com, Breast Cancer, Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Foundation

valentne's day roses for breast cancerEvery guy in the world will be getting her roses on Valentine’s Day, but if you really want to impress her, get these Valentine Roses that Support the Fight against Breast Cancericon.

These flowers are part of 1-800-Flowers’ “Fresh from the Growers” program. These flowers are sent directly to you from the grower’s farms, without going through a florist, so they’ll definitely be amazing.

Here’s a hint: get your roses delivered EARLY. So many people will be ordering flowers this Valentine’s Day that the earlier you get them delivered, the better quality your roses will be.  The best bet is to get them delivered straight to you a few days early…you can open the box, arrange them, make sure they’re properly hydrated, and present them to her yourself!

The best thing about these roses, of course, is that a portion of your purchase price will go to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for their efforts at fighting the disease and supporting survivors. As much as she’ll love her flowers, she’ll love even more that the fellow who gave them is making the world a better place.

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New York Giants Women's Pink Jersey

February 4th, 2008 · Breast Cancer, Foot Locker

pink giants jerseyBeing a lifelong Giants football fan, I felt compelled to find an excuse to blog about the stunning 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

This post was originally written in 2008, of course. At the time, they sold a pink Giants jersey, which went out of stock. But as of the time I’m updating this post in 2009, there’s a new stylish pink Giants jersey from Reebok available again at FogDog.  Proceeds go to help victims of breast cancer.

For the lady Giants fan in your life, it’s a great way to celebrate the victory and help a great cause at the same time. It also makes a great Valentine’s Day gift for that special Giants fan in your life.

Go Giants!

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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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