Giving Back

I have always had a huge heart. That is why I think it is awesome that there are trendy fashionable gifts that are either conscientious to our environment or help out those in need. Why not add something to your Christmas list that will not only benefit you, but benefit something or someone else as well. These are either things I already own and love or things that are on my own list that support a great cause!

We all know about Toms shoes. I just love the glittery ones! They also donate a pair of shoes to someone in need for every pair purchased. LOVE IT!

I had to throw in something design related. This lamp is by Stray Dog Designs, the line was inspired by just that, a stray dog and for every purchase a donation is made to one of the following!

1. Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti -- www.cnphaiti.org
   "Saving lives by empowering families and communities to address the problems of poverty, illness, and lack of services."
   Mission: Raise a healthy generation of Haitian children - bringing them back from malnutrition to life and full health -- that will, in turn, raise Haiti from poverty.
   Programs: community based health and nutrition education; inpatient healthcare; clean drinking water; micro credit programs; mobile health care clinic.
2. Casita Linda -- www.casitalinda.org
   "Building hope, one house at a time."
   Mission: Provide simple, decent housing to the most disadvantaged people in Mexico who live in shacks.
   Programs: provide materials and labor to build simple, sanitary, dignified homes with electricity and running water for those with resources too limited to apply for government housing programs, or even Habitat for Humanity.
3. Sociedad Protectora de Animales -- www.spasanmiguel.org
   "Hope, health, and homes for cats and dogs in need."
   Mission: Provide for the well being of abandoned and homeless dogs and cats in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and environs.
   Programs: provide shelter, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, vaccinations; facilitate adoptions in Mexico and the US; provide low cost health care for pets owned by people of modest means.

Here is one that benefits our environment! I just LOVE this handbag by Matt & Nat, I own one that was made from 28 recycled plastic bottles... NEAT!

MATT & NAT PRODUCTS HAVE NEVER USED ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS. THAT SAID, THE BRAND IS MORE THAN JUST VEGAN. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TRAILBLAZER IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT. EACH PRODUCT CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE RECYCLED ELEMENT AND ON AVERAGE 21 PLASTIC BOTTLES ARE RECYCLED TO MAKE LININGS FOR OUR BAGS. MATT & NAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PIONEER IN ECO-FASHION.

John Hardy jewelry is not only fabulous but their Bamboo line also gives back. When a purchase from this collection bamboo seedlings are planted. This particular bracelet plants 6! How awesome!

I am a huge fan of Tory Burch. She has her own foundation and a line that goes along with it. If you purchase something from it 100% of the proceeds will provide economic opportunity to women and their families in the United States.

Problem

Under the Taliban, education was prohibited for girls. Now, the hard-won right of simply attending school in Afghanistan for girls is becoming more and more difficult. Experts estimate that every day in Afghanistan a girls' school is destroyed or a teacher is murdered. Attacks have closed schools in several entire districts in Afghanistan -- nearly one-third of all districts have no schools.

The Gift

We cannot allow the destruction of women and girls' education to continue, with education so crucial to long-term empowerment. The Feminist Majority Foundation is working to keep Afghan girls' schools open, as well as to reopen those schools that have been closed. We must do all we can to ensure that the rights of Afghan women and girls do not slip away again.

Your donation of $60 will pay the salary of a teacher in Afghanistan for one month. Without teachers, who are being targeted by extremists in Afghanistan, the right for girls to go to school is meaningless.

I hope this year when you are deciding on the the stuff you want for Christmas you think about all of the others in the US and in the World that are less fortunate. Why not choose a gift that will satisfy you and help others!

Happily Hays <3