2013 was an amazing year full of growth, discovery, wonder and learning. I can’t wait to see what 2014 will bring. Wishing all of you Health,Happiness, Peace, and Love in the year to come. Here is 2013 for Documama in a flash.
Back in 2006 Jeff Howe and Mark Robinson published an article in Wired Magazine that coined the term Crowdsourcing by combining the terms crowd and outsourcing to describe a trend on the internet. Of course crowdsourcing was not a new idea, but this was a new term, and the interment was making it possible to take crowdsourcing and crowdfunding to a whole new level. These days it has become an almost mainstream launching pad from entrepreneurs to artists to fund projects and collect data through the various sites that have popped up to do so.
Samahope has a different vision for crowdfunding, and has come up with a way to give us each an opportunity to do something remarkable to transform and uplift another person’s life. Read the rest of this entry
This holiday season (RED) products make a red hot gift list while offering a great way to really make an impact with your purchasing power. When you choose a (RED) product proceeds go directly to The Global Fund where 100% of that money is used to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
These are fabulous finds you would want to give anyway because (RED) partners with the world’s most iconic brands to produce super cool products, that happen to save lives. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. ONE thinks the perfect #GivingTuesday gift is Heifer and ONE’s Limited Edition Goat. Giving just one goat to a family in need can be enough to change their entire lives. One goat can provide up to one ton of milk a year – and that translates to milk, cheese, butter and other dairy products a family can sell on the market for income. And not just temporarily – the benefits of livestock are long-term and only grow over time. Just take a look at this infographic .
2. Shop on #GivingTuesday at Diapers.com or any of these sites and they will be donating one life-saving vaccine through the Shot@Life campaign with every $50 purchase when you use code SHOTATLIFE50.
3. For #Giving Tuesday every dollar donated to WaterAid for safe water and toilets will be matched. If Water Aid can raise $50,000 by midnight, that amount will be doubled! Sip it, quench it, save it, give it, #doubleit with WaterAid for #GivingTuesday.
4. Support Every Mother Counts For as little as $5, you can help provide transportation for a pregnant woman in Uganda, so that she has access to life saving care when she may need it most. 100% of every dollar that is contributed will be directed to programs on the ground.
Or order your custom holiday cards with Minted, where 10% of every purchase made here will go directly to Every Mother Counts.
Or Purchase some Oiselle EMC running gear here, where 40% of the proceeds go to support Every Mother Counts.
5. Give while you shop by purchasing from companies that give back.
Happy #GivingTuesday!
Here are a few of my favorite Gifts to give this year:
“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” -Mother Teresa
1. I Just love the idea behind The Giving Keys , AND the necklaces & bracelets are super cool!
“When you get this Key, you must give it away at some point to a person you feel needs the message, then write us the story of why you gave it away.
We employ those looking to transition out of homelessness.” -The Giving Keys
2. Along with being a hot trend, Alex & Ani Charity by design products donate a percentage back to designated non-profits, their products are made in the USA from recycled materials, and spread the message of positive energy! They have branched out from bangles to key chains, and candles, wine charms & more!
Alex & Ani Bracelets
3. I constantly get compliments on my Mielie bag and love the mission of the company, I love it even more so after my visit to a couple of the townships in South Africa.
Mielie Bag Made in South Africa
Our mission is to design and produce innovative, export-quality hand-crafted products using reclaimed materials – with the aim of creating employment and restoring dignity and financial independence to South Africans.- Mielie
4. I am obsessed with Babs felted bags that are made by a local artist in Rhode Island, so many beautiful styles to choose from!
Babs Handbag
5. The Anchal Project Mission merges design, business, and education to empower marginalized and exploited women living in India. Their scarves are gorgeous and the company was founded by two Rhode Island School of design Grads!
Anchal Scarf
Anchal is an Indian word that means shelter, or refers to the edge of a woman’s Sari used to provide comfort and protection for loved ones.-Anchal Project
6. Ethiopian Textiles are stunning and FashionABLE Scarves drape you in style while helping to support women and families in Ethiopia.
Photo Credit: Hornick/Rivlin
“Through your purchase, you are ABLE to provide opportunity, and a woman is ABLE to have a new choice.”-LiveFashionABLE
7. Give the gift of music with the new Dance (RED) Saves lives Album. The 9.99 you pay will can provide 25 days of life saving medication. 100% of proceeds from all (RED) Products goes to support the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria.
8. When you purchase gifts from UncommonGoods , which is a B Corporation (and my favorite gift catalog) you can choose which charity from their Better To Give program they will automatically donate $1.00 to on your behalf at checkout.
9. Kids Books from Little Pickle Press, also a B Corporation, with the BEST books for kids!
10. And for that person who has everything, Give A Goat! Two of my favorite organizations ONE & Heifer International have teamed up for a limited opportunity:
Goats can help pull families out of extreme poverty by giving them milk to sell at the markets, providing a much-needed source of income.
Heifer International and The ONE Campaign have joined forces to help end extreme poverty. Heifer International works with smallholder farmers to promote economic self-sustainability and good health. ONE is an advocacy organization of more than 3 million people who use their voices to influence policies that fight extreme poverty and preventable disease.
