Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts

Do you #givebooks ?

Monday, November 30, 2015
I try to do a little holiday shopping here and there through out the year but with Thanksgiving I've really pushed into overdrive. Books are one of my favorite gifts. So far my purchases include a book on pyrography (creating art by burning designs into wood or leather), one on Charles Schulz (creator of Peanuts), several Star Wars comic books and The Hungry Caterpillar for a baby shower next month. Then there's the book that I don't know the title of, that I gave to a child whose name I don't know, that lives in a place I don't know. Would you like to do the same?

Chronicle Books and First Book are teaming up this holiday season with the #givebooks project. Take the pledge to give a book this holiday season and Chronicle Books will donate a book to First Book, a non-profit organization that donates book to children and libraries in need. This is the fourth year for the program. Last year 10,000 books were donated, this year #givebooks is hoping for 30,000 books.

It's easy to take the pledge. At #givebooks you can sign up by posting on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr or, if you're really old-fashioned, by signing an online pledge. As a thank you, you can download a coloring page for adults of a jam-packed bookstore by artist Steve McDonald.

Share with us the books you plan to give this year!
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Giving The Gift of Reading

Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Last week, while working at the newspaper, I was called to the local food pantry to cover a story. As volunteers stocked shelves with the latest donations, an 8-year-old boy and his slightly older sister delivered neatly wrapped packages. These gifts were to be distributed to pantry visitors who have children.

The siblings held a fundraiser and challenged national toy companies to meet their fundraising total. Voila! Success that benefited a lot of children from the area, providing a happy holiday for those in need.

The event got me thinking about the holiday season and the practice of handing out presents. Several family members and friends prefer a charitable donation be made in their names to a favorite charity in lieu of a gift, so I started wondering how a writer could combine a charitable donation and writing to promote literacy. A couple thoughts came to mind.

The library my mom works at has a yearly "friends of the library" campaign that runs through the holidays. The local paper prints a running list of those who contribute to the cause and the monies collected assist with book and material purchases. It's a win-win for the library and the person donating. More $ = more books = more people checking out the library. Plus, it's a charitable tax deduction for the person donating.

Or, why not give books to a charitable organization that encourages reading? Reading is Fundamental, as well as the World Literacy Foundation, came to my mind right away. Both provide reading materials and assist teaching people how to read. As luck would have it, today, Media Bistro printed a list of charities that promote reading / literacy.

As writers, not only should we be promoting our written product, we should also be promoting a love of reading and a need for literacy. Making a charitable gift donation is one way to encourage readers young and old to read and read and read and read . . .

Happy holidays from LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at her website. 


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Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Pink Products

Wednesday, October 07, 2009
As you know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. WOW! Women On Writing is a proud supporter of the Breast Cancer Fund, an organization that identifies--and advocates for elimination of--the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease. But no matter what fund you choose to support, there are plenty of ways to help with awareness this month. One is by purchasing pink products that will donate a portion of their proceeds to the cause. Just make sure before you purchase a product you know that a portion of the proceeds will go to the cause. There are many products that are pink in color--some may even have a pink ribbon on them--but not all of them help support the cause. So before purchasing anything, do your research. Below are some fun (and researched) products for writers that help support the cause. Enjoy!

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Writing already feels great, and with this pen will make you feel even better knowing that you purchased it for a good cause.

CROSS STARLIGHT PEN, $70.
This pen incorporates an inlaid rhodium-plated star pattern that creates a a glimmering jewel-like effect against a pearlescent pink body. 10% of proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Available at www.cross.com.

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What would we do without coffee to jump start our writing day?

CUISINART COFFEE MAKER, $39.99.
Wake up to pink in the morning and make your day brighter from the start. This compact and handy coffee maker fits snugly on your countertop and features a stainless steel carafe with dripless pour spout and knuckle guard. 6% of proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Available at www.macys.com.

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Chocolate...need I say more?

DOVE PROMISES OF HOPE CHOCOLATE, $2.99.
Indulge your sweet tooth with DOVE Promises of Hope chocolate. The inside of each chocolate wrapper will feature an inspirational message from a breast cancer survivor. $250,000 will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Available in select retail stores.

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I had to include this because it's adorable, and 100% of the proceeds are donated. Wear it while you're writing and feel ultra-chic!

SARA CAMPBELL SCARF, $88.

This silk scarf from Sara Campbell is full of words of inspiration and is a classic, feminine touch to any outfit. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Available at www.saracampbell.com.

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Avon Cancer Crusade products

They have several wonderful items that donate 100% of the proceeds to the Avon Cancer Crusade. From bubble bath to bags, there's bound to be something to make your writing life more comfortable!

They tend to sell out fast, so head on over and find out what's available at www.avon.com.

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Are you attending a writing conference? This bag may be the perfect companion.

BMW BUSINESS BAG, $40.
This padded bag with removable shoulder strap fits most 15" laptops and features an exterior zippered pocket with compartments for business cards, pens and PDA device. 80% of proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Available at www.bmw-online.com.

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Here's a practical kit for the home/home office that makes a great gift for the writer who's become a new parent.

CABLEORGANIZER.COM CHILD SAFETY KIT, $57.84.
Whether you’re a new parent or just looking for a unique baby shower gift, our Child Safety Kit contains a mix of both tried-and-true and not-so-common childproofing products that will work together to make any home a safer place for babies and small children. 50% of proceeds benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Available at cableorganizer.com.

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If you're in the market for a new digital camera with printer, this looks like a great deal and helps the cause. Remember, editors (like WOW's) love freelancers to submit photos with their articles. Many publications pay extra for photos too!

CANON CAMERA PACK, $279.99.
Say cheese! Canon is fighting breast cancer through the sale of their special edition bundle kits. Each kit includes a pink PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELP camera, a pink SELPHY CP760 compact photo printer, a pink ribbon charm, and a Mammography Reminder Magnet. In the month of October, Canon will donate $150,000 to American Cancer Society. Available in retail stores nationwide.

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How adorable is this?

TOUGH COOKIES PIGGY BANK, $50.
The piggy bank just got a makeover--save up for a rainy day and donate to charity at the same time. 20% of proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Available at www.shoptoughcookies.com.

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After staring at the computer screen all day, it's time to de-stress! Here's one way to relax.

ORIGINS SENSORY THERAPY, $10.
This icon product, launched in 1990, is still a best-seller thanks to the powerful de-stressing properties in the key ingredients of Basil, Eucalyptus and Peppermint that are proven to produce calm feelings. This trio of nature's peace-keeping oils initiates a rapid relaxation response to help your brain switch off and shut out worry for a while. Origins will donate $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Available at Origins retail stores and www.origins.com.

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Yes, it's true. We are lucky enough to be in one of the only professions where you can wear your pajamas to work! Here's a comfy way to help support the cause.

NEEDHAM LANE SASHA PAJAMAS, $58.
Made of soft 100% cotton poplin, Needham Lane pajamas get softer with every washing. PJs have button-front top with notched collar and side vents at hem for a comforting fit. 15% of proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Available at www.needhamlane.com.

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This is a great kit for a great price that seems to have everything you need to feel pampered. It's themed after the graphic novel!

CO BIGELOW CANCER VIXEN KIT, $29.50.
C.O. Bigelow has teamed up with Marisa Acocella Marchetto, author of the graphic novel "Cancer Vixen: A True Story" and breast cancer survivor, to create a special edition Cancer Vixen Collection. Acocella Marchetto will give C.O. Bigelow classics a vixen twist with her illustrations. The kit includes the Lemon Cream Body Wash, Lemon Body Cream, Mentha Lip Tint in Pink Mint, Mentha Foot - Tingling Foot Cream, and Dr. Hiosous Quince Hand Lotion. C.O. Bigelow will donate $250,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Available at www.bathandbodyworks.com.

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As you can see, there are so many products out there that donate to breast cancer charities. Just make sure you research before you buy and find out exactly what percentage will be donated, or what overall contribution will be given. I love purchasing for a good cause. It's guilt-free!

If you have any suggestions for pink products for writers, feel free to share. :)


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