Posts Tagged holiday

Give from the Heart

Dec 21

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Mary Rick

Director of Marketing and Community

The Hoop Fund

Because we value our relationships, we want our gifts to be a heartfelt expression.  For most people, this is not an easy task.

We resort to best bets – gift cards, trendy stocking stuffers, and Hallmark.  But it’s actually easier than ever to find gifts with meaning.

Conscious consumers might shop based on ownership type (family-owned), production location (Made in the USA), environmental standards (organic), and labor practices (Fair Trade Certified).

And green gift guides abound! From Green America and Fair Trade USA to the blogosphere. Everyone seems to be getting into the action.

The “One for One” movement is a newly popular option that combines consumption and philanthropy.  Brand leaders include Toms Shoes, FEED, and Better World Books.

With each purchase of shoes, Toms sends a pair of shoes to a child in need. With each purchase of FEED branded bags, the company funds nutritious school meals for malnourished children. For every book purchased on BetterWorldBooks.com, they send a book to someone in need.

The Hoop Fund offers a unique take on this model, combining a philanthropic microloan to the maker with every purchase.   For example, if you buy a sweater on the Hoop, part of your purchase will go to the weaver for a specific project need.  The money is returned to the lender upon repayment.

More and more gift-givers are also opting to send donations instead of stuff and charities of all kinds make it easier to send a donation as a gift.  Universal Giving is a great resource for donation opportunities around the world and 100% of each donation goes directly to the cause.

What’s meaningful to you and your loved ones?

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Mary is a sustainability professional specializing in community building, marketing, and business development. She served as a director for Global Exchange, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and the Investors’ Circle. Mary holds an MBA in Sustainable Business from the Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

Links:

http://www.betterworldbooks.com/

http://www.feedprojects.com/default.asp

http://www.toms.com/

http://www.universalgiving.org/giftpackages/

http://www.hoopfund.com

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27 Gourmet Vegetarian Recipes for Christmas Dinner

Dec 19

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“If you are looking for ways to make your holiday meal a lot more interesting, look no further. These vegetarian and vegan recipes are not only gourmet but most are fairly simple to make. I swear even the most staunch meat eater will be going back for seconds…or thirds. So make a lot! Also, see my eco-wine pairing suggestions at the end, and have yourself a Merry (and green) Christmas.”

27 Gourmet Vegetarian Recipes for Christmas Dinner via Jerry James Stone – Treehugger

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Online Retailers Promote Cyber Monday

Nov 29

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“Cyber Monday. Green Tuesday. Black Friday. Magenta Saturday.

Chances are you won’t find any of these holidays on your calendar. Yet retailers are coming up with names for just about every day of the week during the holiday shopping season.

“…………Nonprofit Green America is launching “Green Tuesday” this week to encourage people to buy gifts with the environment and local communities in mind. The group is planning to push the event every Tuesday through December.”

Green America, which says it aims to support society and the environment through economic programs, plans to showcase deals on its website, including jewelry made from recycled nuclear bomb equipment from online retailer Fromwartopeace.com and a self-watering system for plants by Dri Water.

“Mass culture encourages people to run out of their house, now at midnight, and go shopping,” says Todd Larsen, director of corporate responsibility for Green America, which vetted the businesses it’s highlighting on its website to ensure they meet certain environmental and ethical standards. “Why not wait another day or more and buy something that helps others?”‘

Online Retailers Promote Cyber Monday via Associated Press – NPR

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100,000 Expected to Participate in World Fair Trade Day Events Across North America

May 5

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Hundreds of sessions to educate the public on the benefits of fair trade and provide samples of products from around the globe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 5, 2011 A record 100,000 people across the US and Canada are expected to participate in hundreds of events over the next two weeks to mark World Fair Trade Day, which is May 14, 2011. Cities, towns, churches, groups and individuals are planning events to highlight social, economic and environmental benefits to buying Fair Trade. The events include Fair Trade festivals, Fair Trade coffee breaks, webinars and Fair Trade artisan tours among others.

For information about World Fair Trade Day events in your area or to find out more information about the benefits of buying Fair Trade, go to http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/.

Many Americans are unaware how many day-to-day items are produced in abusive labor conditions which include sweatshops and child labor. These items include clothing, furniture, and foods such as coffee, chocolate and sugar. The Fair Trade system helps producers and suppliers earn a living wage and take steps to protect the environment. It also serves to empower individuals and communities, support women’s and children’s rights, promote dignity and respect, and connect developing nations with developed nations and markets.

World Fair Trade Day national campaign coordinator, and Executive Director, Fair Trade Resource Network Jeff Goldman, said: “the meaningful activities comprising this largest Fair Trade event in North America allow adults and kids to learn about empowering marginalized people while celebrating justice and sustainability with hundreds of thousands worldwide.”

Examples of World Fair Trade Day events around the U.S. include:

  • Texas. Austin Fair Trade Film Festival, May 12-14 at various locations. Events include a short film competition, a Fair Trade wine and chocolate pairing event, and the Fair Trade film festival and global market.
  • Illinois. Chicago World Fair Trade Day celebration, May 6, 2011 at Daley Plaza. Companies will be selling Fair Trade gifts, coffee, chocolate and more and there will be programs and world music played throughout the day. Additionally there will be a Fair Trade pavilion at the Chicago Green Festival on May 14-15 at McCormick Place in Lakeside, IL where non-profits and Fair Trade vendors will be on hand.
  • New York State. Several upstate events are planned, including a World Fair Trade Day celebration in Albany on May 13th at the Ten Thousand Villages store, and a Fair Trade/Coffee Break Celebration in Rochester on May 14th at One World Goods.
  • Oregon. A variety of events in Portland to include an informational Fair Trade 101 Panel Discussion at Kells Irish Pub on May 9th, and the St. Andrew/Catholic Relief Services World Fair Trade Day celebration on May 15th featuring music, food, crafts, and informational talks.
  • Florida. A Fair Trade wine tasting in Orlando on May 15, at the Lake Eola Farmers Market. This event will also feature food, live music, and local craft vendors.

Major sponsors of World Fair Trade Day include nonprofit and faith-based organizations, such as Green America, Catholic Relief Services, Fair Trade Towns and Fair Trade USA, as well as retail companies, such as Ben and Jerry’s, Fair Trade Apparel, Green Mountain Coffee, Lucuma Designs, Wholesome Sweeteners and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. Regular sponsors include Fair for Life Social & Fairtrade Certified, Fair World Project, Global Exchange, Indigenous Designs, Maggie’s Organics, Theo Chocolate and WorldofGood.com by eBay.

ABOUT FAIR TRADE RESOURCE NETWORK

Founded in 1999, the Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) seeks to build a more just and sustainable world by gathering, developing, and disseminating educational resources about Fair Trade. FTRN is the only non-profit organization in the world focused exclusively on Fair Trade education, helping people to better understand the impact of their buying decisions.

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Will a Real Earth Day Movement Please Stand Up?

Apr 22

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“Okay, so it’s Earth Day — the day where environmentalism is celebrated with TV specials, special product offers, and well-intentioned community greening efforts. These are all nice things (but if I have to delete one more ‘Great story idea for Earth Day’ pitches for eco-friendly beauty products, so help me …). Sort of. I mean, I’m glad that a few companies are taking the effort to market their products to an audience that cares about the planet — it’s better that there’s been a mild consumer shift towards organic, fair trade, and ethical products, and that they can be promoted with a topical tie-in one day a year. But 98% of this junk obscures what the original Earth Day was all about: Taking to the streets with fellow citizens and demanding real reform and environmental protections.”

Will a Real Earth Day Movement Please Stand Up? via Brian Merchant – Treehugger

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EARTH DAY SF: CO-CREATING SOLUTIONS NOW

Mar 24

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Celebrate Earth Day at the Civic Center Plaza, Downtown San Francisco  •  April 23, 2011  •  10 am to 6 pm

SAN FRANCISCO — Celebrate Earth Day in San Francisco this year at the Civic Center Plaza, April 23rd from 10am-6pm. This diverse and enriching event is designed to bring together leading members of the green business and sustainability activist movement with the public to co-create a vision of how communities address a current multitude of environmental issues. This robust new educational, multi-cultural, entertaining and family-focused event targets pressing environmental issues while promoting and offering solution oriented community action.
Keynotes include Chaske Spencer [star of the hit movie “Twilight;” Founder of Be the Shift campaign and United Global Shift organization], Kevin Danaher [Green Festivals and Global Exchange], Cecil Williams, Starhawk, Ocean Robbins, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Stacy Malkan, Vinit Allen, Dolores Huerta, Richard Heinberg and more will guide, inspire and enlighten.

Enjoy live music by Sila Afro-Funk, Sun Ra, Barry “The Fish” Melton, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers with members of ALO & The Mother Hips, Ashel Eldridge, Scott Huckabay, Afrolicious, Joanne Rand, Alex Arndt, DJ Jimmy Love and more.

Participants will enjoy a wide variety of musicians, performers, expert speakers & activists on three stages and in the speaker’s tent.  Visit exhibits, explore hands-on activities, workshops and solution-based talks in the Permaculture Zone, Alternative Energy Zone and Holistic Wellness Zone.  Kids’ activities include a playground on-site, face painting, educational games and art from the Sustainable Living Roadshow featured in the Youth and Kids Zone.

Raw Bay Area and Best of Raw present a full-day Sustainable Feast Raw Gourmet Food Prep Demo Series in the Holistic Wellness Zone.  Massage therapists, Green Film, organic beer and wine tasting, cutting edge eco fashion shows, alternative vehicle showcase and many more highlights complete this diverse cultural extravaganza.

Join leading members of the business and indigenous communities, artists and artisans, civic community leaders, local “eco-green” politicians, traditional ceremony keepers, workshop leaders, eco-green & youth activists and environmental & social justice organizations in a holiday to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. The event will be opened and closed with traditional ceremony to honor all life and planet we all share.

The founders of Earth Day SF are Green Zone Productions , One World-One Voice and Empowerment Works, the Presenting Sponsor is Santa Cruz Organic and the event is produced in cooperation with the National Organization for Women, Living Mandala, Solar Living Institute, Raw Bay Area, Visionary Culture, Sustainable Living Roadshow, and with the support of Harmony Festival, Global Exchange, Green Festivals, Earth Island Institute, 350.org, Green Kids, Teens Turning Green, Grind for the Green / Green For All, Hope and Beyond and more.

This Earth Day is occurring on the heels of some major climate events, toxic threats, species extinctions and  just a few days after the one year mark of the BP oil spill. Much progress has been made and much more remains to be done. Together, we can and must co-create solutions to these issues as stewards of our planet.


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