Baseball season is back and I am so ready to root root root for the White Sox! While on the website this morning, I learned about the White Sox Volunteer Corps that consists of fans and players. The team created the Corps in response to Sox Fan-in-Chief President Obama’s call for Americans to better their communities through service. What’s so cool about this is that everyone from the staff to the players link up with folks like me to make a lasting impact within the community. Past projects have supported the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the American Red Cross.
More than 5,400 Sox fans and community-focused Chicagoans have signed up for the Volunteer Corps since its inception and GUESS WHAT? I just signed up and am anxiously awaiting the first project of the season. If you’re a fellow Sox fan looking to make a difference, all you have to do is sign up here.
Just another reason to cheer on Chicago’s BEST baseball team. Does your favorite team have a similar volunteer initiative?
Target has announced that it is teaming up with FEED for a capsule collection that will hit stores on June 30. The collection will include more than 50 stylish products to benefit Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. The ultimate goal? Provide 10 million 10 million meals to Americans in need.
Co-designed by FEED Founder Lauren Bush Lauren, each piece ranges in price from $3 to $400, and will display the number of meals donated to Feeding America as a result of the purchase.
Want to learn more about the collection and even get a sneak peek? Check out the video below.
None of us can move forward if half of us are held back.
Today, it was announced that Beyoncé, Salma Hayek, and Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini have joined forces to launch a major women’s empowerment campaign, Chime for Change. Chime for Change will “provoke, collect, and share powerful stories of girls and women globally,” while using social media to funnel donations to a range of women’s education and equality charities.
The campaign will focus on three areas: education, health, and justice for women and girls worldwide. If you’re wondering why Gucci is involved, you should know that the company actually has a long history of engagement with girls’ and women’s issues, including a seven-year relationship with UNICEF in support of girls’ education.
Without getting into too many details, there’s been a barrage of recent media coverage highlighting the need for a campaign of this magnitude. How major are we talking? Well, they’ve partnered with NGOs like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and their Advisory Board consists of advocates and leaders like Arianna Huffington, Meryl Streep, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Yasmeen Hassan.
I’m incredibly excited to see what comes out of this initiative. The website nods to a major announcement happening in mid-March. Can’t wait to find out the details.
Today’s post is actually more like a confession. You see, last year, I signed up to run the Run 10 Feed 10 challenge in Cincinnati in October. I was rocking and rolling on during my training for like 3 weeks, and then… BOOM. I fell off. Big time. So much so, that I *gulp* skipped the race.
I know, I know, I know… You see. I figured that if no one asked me about it, then it didn’t matter. Especially since I’d already paid the registration fee, which helped provide 10 meals. But, deep down, I know better. So, I am getting my act together and keeping my promise to run 10 kilometers to fight hunger.
To make it count, I am doing the following:
Using Charity Miles to not only help me keep track of my training miles, but to also raise funds for Feeding America. For every mile that I run, $0.25 is donated to the cause. If you’re looking for an incredible way to support a cause, this is a great one that will keep your body moving.
Winter has finally decided to descend upon us in Chicago and I’m finally in the mood to go ice skating. So, when I found out that the Peninsula Chicago opened an outdoor ice skating rink atop their hotel, I was GEEKED. Now, before you think that I just have a weak spot for making posh figure eights, allow me to point out that 100% of the admission + skate rental costs are donated to the Hephzibah Children’s Association and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The rink is only open to hotel, spa, or restaurant guests so it looks like I’ll be having dinner at The Lobby pretty soon (aka before March). Stay tuned for photos of my wintry excursion.
For more information on the rink, you check out the release here.
As I move through this Fabulous Giver lifestyle, I am constantly motivated by friends of mine who are doing selfless things for others, both near and far. Today, I wanted to spotlight two current projects being spearheaded by two of my friends.
Cover Chicago
My broseph, George, has one of the biggest hearts that I know. So, I wasn’t surprised when he announced his goal to collect socks and warm blankets to help get 213 people through this bone-chilling Chicago winter. The initiative, Cover Chicago, has also inspired similar efforts in Atlanta and Sacramento. Kindness is definitely contagious! For details on drop-off locations in Chicago, check out the flyer below. You can also keep up with the efforts on the blog.
Madie’s $10,000 Birthday Wish
Birthdays are a time of celebration, reflection, and wish-making. My soul sister, Madie (one of the fab ladies behind Divas, MPH), has made one BIG wish for her 30th birthday. And, that is to raise $10,000 to build a well in Ethopia. When she accomplishes her goal, the well will provide clean water for 500 people. Hopefully, I don’t have to tell you what a big deal that is. Madie has already raised over $3,000 dollars for the cause and has less than 70 days to raise the rest. Learn more about her wish and make a donation on her MyCharityWater.org page!
So, these are two of the people who inspire me. Do you have any do-gooder friends? Tell me about them!
One of Dr. King’s greatest legacies was his commitment to service. In honor of this legacy and make a difference, communities across the country will recognize Saturday as a National Day of Service.
In the video below, First Lady Michelle Obama talks about her family’s commitment to community service and learn how you can join the effort. If you’re heading to DC this weekend, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host a wide range of volunteering events in Washington, DC and across the country. Find out how you can get involved here.
I need to check out the website myself and find a volunteer opportunity here in Chicago. Chicago Cares usually hosts a citywide service event so fingers crossed that still happens. If not, I will definitely make it work. I can find a service project anywhere. Trust me on that one!
Given the choice between two identical items, would you pay 40% more for one if all of the proceeds were going to charity?
This is the question that I asked my Twitter peeps a couple of weeks ago. Most people responded by saying that it would depend on how they felt about the cause, the price difference, and whether or not it was a special edition product. All valid points.
This question came to me after surfing around on the Kenneth Cole website. You see, KC had two versions of their Red Pack-It Puffer on their website: one benefiting their AWEARNESS Foundation and a “normal” retail version. Both jackets retailed for $99.50, but at that time, the “normal” one was 40% off while the “charitable” one was holding strong at the regular price.
Now, do you understand why I asked? By the way, Kenneth Cole has since removed both versions of the red coat from their site.
So, your turn to answer the question. Would you have purchased the $100 version for a cause or the $60 version?
In 2011, I proudly and confidently claimed that 2013 would be my year and it is DEFINITELY off to the right start. These first two weeks of the year have been BIZ-ZEE. On Tuesday, I joined my Red Pump Co-Founder Luvvie and some of our crew to help shoot photos of our new t-shirt line.
The line is in partnership with the fab folks over at Royal Dynamite and will be available starting next week. Did I mention that for every tee purchased the company donates an education package to a child in Sierra Leone? Yes, so you will be doing good TWICE when you scoop yours.
