Giving Hip Gifts that Give Back

Presented by Terri Suda

October 17, 2007

www.give.org - The Alliance reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that are the subject of donor inquiries. These reports include an evaluation of the subject charity in relation to the voluntary BBB charity standards.

www.worldpantry.com – provides a number of fair trade, sustainable products (eco teas, Traditional Medicinals, etc.)

www.nature.org – The Nature Conservancy - The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Options available include Adopt an Acre and Rescue the Reef.

www.globalgirlfriends.com – Founded in the spring of 2003 Global Girlfriend was created to help women worldwide gain economic security while providing you unique products and a simple way to help women in need.

www.ourgreenhouse.com – a very cool site featuring everything for the home and family including green toys made in the U.S., organic everything – bedding, decorative items, and 100% soy candles – made with 100% sustainable materials by farmers in the U.S.

www.onepercentfortheplanet.org – site that lists companies that donate a portion of their profits to charitable organizations – sites are available for browsing by clicking on links – see www.yourtruenature.com

www.ecokitchen.com – you can shop over 10 companies using one cart – everything for the family and home including wonderful toy selections

www.greenfeet.com – an abundance of fun and useful gift ideas – check out the album cover sketchbooks! Many of the items are made from recycled material.

www.4yoursoul.com – a totally fun card/gift site. For each card you purchase, the company donates $.15 ; you choose the organization you wish to donate to when checking out. Cool!

www.henryshearts.org – a super site good for gift giving, especially corporate gifts. company was founded on behalf of 10 year old Henry Floyd who suffers from Marfan Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects the heart. Portions from purchases go to charities – you choose the charity upon checkout.

http://gktw.org – Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 75,000 families from all 50 states and over 50 countries. Proceeds from purchases go to the organization.

www.antioxinabox.com - The healthy gift alternative, based in the heart of New York City, AntiOXinabox is the world's first all about antioxidants company providing antioxidant-rich AntiOX Superfoods™ and its RejuvaHeal™ all natural spa collection.

www.blueelephantcreations.com – site features charming gifts for babies and children featuring designs by 5 year old Tristan Bramble who is autistic. All proceeds benefit the Tristan R. Bramble Autism Foundation and the International Research and Child Development Center. The TRB Autism Foundation gives scholarships to parents of autistic children to pay for therapies and medical treatment. They are a 501(c)3 organization with absolutely 0 staff, only volunteers. All money raised goes to the children.

www.womenforwomen.org – Women for Women International mobilizes women to change their lives by bringing a holistic approach to addressing the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments. In addition to sponsoring a woman you can also purchase beautiful clothing, jewelry, etc. made by women in the program.

www.thebodyshop.com – a WONDERFUL site featuring health, beauty and spa items organic in nature. Company supports sustainable agriculture, fair trade and numerous awareness programs.

www.greenbatteries.com – Looking for batteries to load into all those gifty gadgets? Why not go green? Or better yet, why not give green, rechargeable batteries as a gift?

www.methodhome.com – a complete “green” household cleaning site. I threw this in for fun. Sometimes you just don’t know where to start with healthy home products and this company has it all. I especially like the home detox starter kit.

www.womenheart.org – site maintained by the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease – Red Dress items, cards, books, etc. proceeds benefit the foundation that raises awareness for women’s heart disease. Some startling facts:

· Heart disease is the # 1 killer of American women

· 1 in every 3 women dies of heart disease, 1 in 30 dies from breast cancer

· Nearly two-thirds of American women who die suddenly of a heart attack had no prior symptoms

· Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82% just by leading a healthy lifestyle.

www.unicef.org – The name says it all – and there’s so many ways to give! Beautiful cards, calendars and more.

www.komen.org – Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – so many options for such a good cause!

www.friendsofwfp.org – World Food Program – incredible way to give and give back – world food programme feed bags and tshirts.

www.habitatforhumanity.org – the perfect gift when you consider the cold winter ahead and pay mind to the simple blessing of having a place to call home! Donations are so simple to make and the site makes it very easy to give a gift donation online. Check it out!

www.heifer.org – This is a great place to shop for the person who has everything. Purchase animals in the name of your recipient and help end world hunger and poverty. Give a flock of chicks for $20 that will provide eggs for a family to eat, sell and share. This is the gift that keeps on giving!