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Monday, May 4, 2009
Giving back through shoes
Sometimes it’s not about saving money, but putting your money to its best use. There are things we all need to buy on a regular basis, so why not support companies that give back?
Since we all need shoes — which seem to us like a given, not a luxury — consider purchasing shoes that help other people or the environment.
Thanks to my niece, I recently learned about TOMS Shoes (tomsshoes.com), a Venice, Calif., company started in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie that gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. It’s a straight one-for-one deal, no gimmicks, no hidden parameters.
Adult styles start at $44 and as of April, TOMS has provided more than 140,000 shoes to children in need around the world.
Pediped shoes for children (pediped.com) is a partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The company donates a portion of its proceeds every year and in March gave over $100,000 to the foundation, which granted seven wishes. The company has committed to up its pledge for the coming year.
Keds (keds.com) now offers Green Label sneakers that are made with 100 percent organic cotton and nontoxic inks and dyes. The laces are made from 100 percent recycled water bottles.
In a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, the company will plant a tree for every pair of Green Label shoes purchased this year.
Gift purchases can benefit others beyond your gift recipient, too. If you’re going to purchase a gift of lotions or other bath and body products, The Body Shop (thebodyshop-usa.com) donates $1 from the sale of certain gift sets to Stop Violence in the Home.
The program, which went global in 2003, was started by the company in Canada in 1994 with a focus on ending domestic violence. If jewelry is on your shopping list, check out Kyra’s Collection at amypetersstudio.com.
The line was created by a 10-year-old girl who wanted to give back. It helps that her mom is jewelry designer Amy Peters, but the designs were created by Kyra and 100 percent of earnings after taxes go to charities.
If your gift-getter is a real do-gooder, donate to Heifer International (heifer.org) in the recipient’s name.
With each donation, the organization provides livestock, other animals and trees to help people all over the world obtain a sustainable source of food and income.
For $20, you can donate a flock of chicks, ducks or geese. For only $10 more, you can donate a hive of honeybees.
You can also purchase shares, or 1/10th the total cost, of certain gifts. If you’d like to be a part of a water buffalo gift, that’s $25. For $10, you can be part of a gift of a pig, goat or sheep.
So, as you go out to do your regular shopping, keep the bargains in mind, but remain mindful of how you can help those in need just by purchasing what you normally would.
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