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Shop to Give Back
When I started thinking about my December segment for Talk of the Town, I knew we’d be right in the heart of the Christmas shopping season, but I was hoping to help people shop a little differently this year…
I figured, if you’re going to be shopping anyway, why not shop somewhere where you can give back?
So I reached out to my friends who I know are passionate about ethical fashion and helping the under-resourced…and boy they did deliver.
I was afraid I’d find average products that I’d feel good about buying because of the charitable component, but wouldn’t truly love.
Boy was I wrong.
My friends delivered and not only told me about amazing organizations with very worthy beneficiaries, but they also produce AMAZING products I’d be thrilled to both receive AND give!
You also might be surprised to learn that some of your favorite non-profits and ministries also offer wonderful products that make great gifts and also help support their organization when purchased.
Here are all the details from my favorite products I featured on air today…
Shop to Give Back Directory
American Girl
– Featured Product/s: 2014 Doll of the Year, Isabelle
– Mission: Now through December 18, 2014, for every American Girl doll purchased, American Girl will donate one 18-inch doll to the Children’s Hospital Association (a maximum of 1,000 dolls per day and 25,000 dolls total will be donated during the promotion period).
– Where to Shop: AmericanGirl.com
– Discount: N/A
Better Life Bags
– Featured Product/s:
—Gray and White Finley: briefcase
—Chambray Molly: Crossbody bag
—Teal and Floral Phone Wallet: holds you phone in the back pocket and cash/credit cards in the front. Strap unsnaps to slip your keys through or clasp around a bag handle.
—Floral Wallet: Their newest addition. 6 credit card slots and outside zipper pocket for cash and change.
– Mission: All their bags are 100% customizable with over 40 different fabric choices and 3 leather colors. Each bag is handmade in Detroit, MI by a woman living in an under-resourced neighborhood giving them dignity, honor, and respect.
– Where to Shop: BetterLifeBags.com
– Discount: N/A
FamilyLife
– Featured Product/s: Adorenaments
– Mission: Help for today. Hope for tomorrow…to effectively develop godly marriages and families who change the world one home at a time.
– Where to Shop: Shop.FamilyLife.com
– Discount: FLASH SALE through 12/13 with discount code CONE: get $5 off any of the 3 sets of Adorenaments as well as any of the 3 bundles. This means that you could purchase their most popular item, the 3 set collection, at a buy 2 get 1 for $5 rate!
fashionABLE
– Featured Product/s:
—“Game Day Collection” scarves — contrasting textured stripes in your favorite team’s colors. Hand-woven in Ethiopia with 100% Ethiopian cotton. It is named after Selam (sah-lahm), who is ABLE to see that her children are proud of her.
—Passport Wallet – brand new for the holidays, this travel essential is hand-crafted in Ethiopia with 100% Ethiopian leather. It is named after Eyerusalem (eye-roo-sah-lim) who is ABLE to send her kids to school.
– Mission:
fashionABLE began as a small campaign of the non-profit The Mocha Club in the Fall of 2010 to fund skills training for women who graduated from their partner Women at Risk. It started with just one scarf that was promoted to the Mocha Club members, and now the brand has grown into a business that helps to employ over 100 women in Ethiopia, featuring extensive scarf designs as well as a leather line.
– Where to Shop: livefashionABLE.com
– Discount: Use coupon code FRUGAL for 20% off on 12/12 only (PLUS they’re offering FREE SHIPPING site-wide on 12/12 as a part of their “12 days of fashionABLE”)
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
– Featured Product/s:
—Polka Dot Tray
—Cookie Jar
—Wallet from Kindred Spirit
– Mission:
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.
– Where to Shop: giftshop.StJude.org
– Discount: Each featured product is already discounted
The Root Collective
– Featured Product/s:
—Gold Feather Necklace: made by women of the Maasai Tribe in Kenya
—Purple Diamond Ballet Flat: Made in Guatemala by Otto #OttoMadeMyShoes
—Calabaza Gourd Bangle: Made in Peru by Hurbano
– Mission: They partner with small-scale artisan businesses in marginalized communities to promote change through dignified jobs.
– Where to Shop: TheRootCollective.com (they’ve also just started wholesaling into boutiques!)
– Discount: use coupon code SAMI20 for 20% off
Tieks
– Featured Product/s: Rose Gold Glam ballet flat
– Mission: For every Facebook follower, Tieks contributes $1 to Kiva to help female entrepreneurs in the US and abroad. They believe empowering women is a requisite in the broader fight against global poverty. Through Kiva, they’ve been able to commit over $1 million towards helping these women!
– Where to Shop: tieks.com
– Discount: N/A
Don’t forget to check in with your credit and bank cards to see if they have portals you can shop through and actually choose a nonprofit beneficiary of your shopping.
What are some of your favorite non-profits you love to help support through your shopping during the holidays?
In case you missed it, you can watch my #ShopToGiveBack segment on Talk of the Town today:
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