10 Holiday Gift Ideas That Support Nonprofits

Here are some great ways for consumers to give back and for charities to get ideas on inspired programs that they might be able to implement.

From STAY CLASSY

Does your nonprofit have a holiday gift program? Maybe it should. For inspiration, check out these 10 organizations with creative holiday gift ideas.

With the holidays just around the corner, people are reaching for their gift lists and jumping head first into shopping mode. And because the holidays tend to bring out our altruistic nature, many nonprofits have set up holiday gift programs to encourage impactful giving.

Below we’ve compiled a list of 10 nonprofits that are offering unique, socially minded gifts this holiday season. Whether you are looking to give someone a meaningful gift or you are looking for inspiration for your own organization’s gift program, this list is a great place to start.

1. Make-A-Wish Foundation

 MAKE A WISH HOLIDAY CARDS

Make-A-Wish serves to strengthen and empower children battling life-threatening medical conditions by making their wishes a reality. Aside from the variety of merchandise available year-round on the organization’s website, you can purchase a customizable holiday cards with personalized messages. The cards are inspired by Wish Kids, and you can order them pre-packaged, assorted, in bulk, or with other options.

2. Oceana

 ANIMAL ADOPTION PACKS

Oceana is the largest international organization dedicated to ocean conservation. This year, you can gift a marine animal enthusiast a plush doll and cookie cutter, all while making the adoption of a sea creature possible. You can also send a card, reusable aluminum water bottle, or rope bracelet, with proceeds going directly to the organization.

3. Invisible Children

 CHILD RESCUE

Devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of former child soldiers and to bringing international fugitive Joseph Kony to justice, Invisible Children invites you to help reunite 20 former child soldiers with their families this holiday season. Starting from $25, your donation can provide a play therapy kit for a returning child, a pathway to an education, or a journey home for an escaped child soldier.

4. Liberty in North Korea

HOLIDAY GIFT CARDS

LINK is pursuing an end to the humanitarian crisis in North Korea by providing rescue and resettlement support to North Korean refugees. In celebration of the 76 refugee rescues that were made possible this year, LINK has broadened their list of gift items, offering everything from T-shirts to totes to handmade holiday cards. 100% of the proceeds fund the organization’s mission.

5. The Adventure Project

A LUMP OF COAL

The Adventure Project raises awareness and funds to support the world’s most effective social enterprises in an effort to end extreme poverty. This Christmas, you can send a “lump of coal” (or rather, handmade soap) to someone who has made your nice list while providing one family in Haiti with a charcoal-efficient stove. We love this creative and deceptively hygienic gift idea.

6. Kiva

 KIVA CARDS

Pursuing its mission to alleviate poverty, Kiva works globally with micro-finance institutions to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. By buying friends and family a Kiva Card, you’re introducing them to Kiva and allowing them to choose the borrowers – and stories – they want to support.

7. Action Against Hunger

GIFTS THAT SAVE LIVES

Action Against Hunger provides sustainable solutions to hunger in over 40 countries, and the holiday season is the perfect time to support the cause while honoring a loved one. Purchase a gift in the name of someone you care about and the money will go to buying provisions such as emergency therapeutic food, a dairy cow, or 1,000 days of childcare.

8. Heifer International

THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFT CATALOGUE IN THE WORLD

Working to empower impoverished families, Heifer International provides communities with sustainable agriculture and commerce, particularly by giving families an animal that can provide both food and reliable income. You can help donate one of these valuable animals to a community in need, giving a heifer, sheep, water buffalo, or other livestock in the name of a loved one. Why not shake things up and give a llama this Christmas?

9. Robin Hood Foundation

HOLIDAY & NEW YEAR CARDS

The Robin Hood Foundation is dedicated to funding and creating programs for New York’s neediest citizens. This holiday, you can help the 1.8 million New Yorkers living in poverty by simply sending a loved one a special holiday card. Choose from a variety of designs to wish someone Happy Holidays or Happy New Year, or you can send a personalized photo card and customize the typography.

10. World Vision

THE AMAZON OF CHARITABLE GIFTS

World Vision has a selection of gifts too large to list in full. They support a wide variety of causes with the ultimate goal of lifting children out of poverty, so no matter what gift you choose, you can be proud that you are benefiting a child in need.

Look What Toms has done....brilliant!

November 5, 2013 – Los Angeles, CA – In a bold and unexpected move that underscores its role as a leader in social innovation, TOMS today launched the TOMS Marketplace, a new online retail destination hosted on TOMS.com that features a curated collection of 200 socially conscious products from 30 different companies.  Featured at http://www.TOMS.com/marketplace for customers in the U.S., each of the TOMS Marketplace partner brands has a meaningful story and shares TOMS’ deep commitment to giving to those in need, spanning a wide range of causes and geographic areas of impact. 

“The TOMS Marketplace represents something that is bigger than us,” said Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS.  “We believe social entrepreneurship is a movement that is here to stay, and the TOMS Marketplace is our way of bringing awareness to so many amazing companies, causes and products.  For the past few years, I have been humbled by the number of social entrepreneurs who have been inspired by the TOMS business model. In fact, it wasn't too long ago that I found myself in a similar position.  So I thought, ‘What can we do to help support these companies?’ The TOMS Marketplace is the result.”

By bringing together such a diverse collection of social entrepreneurs at various stages of their business, the TOMS Marketplace presents a wide assortment of products across an array of lifestyle categories, from accessories, apparel and bags to home goods, jewelry, sports equipment, tech and more.  Prices range from $5 to $500 for products that have never been available at TOMS.com until today. 

For the most part, the TOMS Marketplace highlights early-stage companies and their causes, each of whom were thoroughly vetted by TOMS’ Giving department to make sure their ability to deliver on their mission statements is of the highest standard.  Some more recognizable than others – yet all respected for their work – the companies and causes that make up the debut TOMS Marketplace collection include:

•    31 Bits
•    Apolis
•    Badala
•    Charity Water
•    Cleobella
•    Della
•    Denik
•    Falling Whistles
•    Fortuned Culture
•    From You With Love
•    Half United
•    Harper Belle Jewelry
•    JADETribe
•    JOYN
•    Krochet Kids International
•    Lemlem
•    LSTN
•    Movember
•    One World Futbol Project
•    Out of Print
•    Rose + Fitzgerald
•    Same Sky
•    Stone + Cloth
•    Sword & Plough
•    Tegu
•    The Base Project
•    The Giving Keys
•    The Honest Company
•    Yellow Leaf Hammocks

“The social entrepreneurship movement is made up of a lot of like-minded individuals, and in many ways it’s a fraternity of people who want to do business differently,” added Mycoskie. “I’ve been a part of this network for years and have recognized many organizations that have very interesting ideas and businesses that can scale.  Many of these have found a place in the TOMS Marketplace.”

TOMS’ innovation does not stop at the TOMS Marketplace.  The company recently announced that through its Giving Partners it has hand-placed over 10 million pairs of new shoes on children in need and has helped give sight to nearly 200,000 people around the world.  The success of TOMS’ One for One® business model has led to a continued evolution of its Giving efforts, with the company having made major investments in its shoe manufacturing, economic empowerment, commissioned field research, and product partnerships that have raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations.  The TOMS Marketplace is the latest such investment from TOMS.

“We’re so excited to utilize, share and leverage TOMS’ platforms, our resources and our marketing to assist our TOMS Marketplace partners to help give to those in need,” added Mycoskie.  “We believe our customers – and even those who aren’t necessarily customers – trust the TOMS brand and what we stand for.  They are coming to our website because they want to buy or give a gift that gives back, and with the TOMS Marketplace, they will have a much greater selection of choices, all in one place.”

About TOMS: 

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One.®  Since then, TOMS has given over 10 million pairs of new shoes to children in need.

Five years later, TOMS realized this movement could serve other basic needs and launched TOMS Eyewear. With every pair purchased, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need. One for One.®  Since launching, TOMS has helped save or restore the sight of nearly 200,00 people worldwide.

Charity Spotlight - Stop Diabetes

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

A meaningful way show your support for the  cause is by wearing a GivingBand.  To order directly from the Stop Diabetes  website, click the button below: YOUR organization can create a custom charm program:

Cause Marketing 101 for Businesses and Non-profits

Cause Marketing is essential for businesses.

These webinars should be a great overview and I encourage anyone who owns or is involved with a business to attend this and figure a way YOUR company can align with a cause.

Charity Charms offers our Matching Gift Program as a way to do it.

From The Cause Marketing Forum:

Is there a member of your team, prospective partner or a colleague who might benefit from an overview of cause marketing? Well, they're in luck because they know YOU and now you can share these webinars with them!

Business and nonprofit-oriented webinars will be led by For Momentum's Mollye Rhea on November 21. They're full of great material: lots of real-life examples and relevant, useful tips.

Participants will learn:

• Which programs are generating major business and cause benefits -- and why
• What kind of civic engagement today's consumers expect from companies 
• How to leverage cause marketing to move a company or cause forward

Cause Marketing 101 for Business will provide companies large and small with a framework for assessing how cause marketing could make them more successful.
November 21, 2013 2:30pm ET

Cause Marketing 101 for Nonprofits will share advice on getting into the business mindset, creating attractive offerings and developing win-win relationships with corporate partners.
November 21, 2013 12:30pm ET

Price: FREE for everyone. Pre-registration is required and space is limited!

    

Participants Will Receive:

• Unlimited access to the recorded version of this webinar (a great option if you're not able to attend on the designated date and time)
• The opportunity to ask questions of the presenter (live attendees only)  
• A download of the PowerPoint presentation that accompanies this webinar

 Price: FREE for everyone. Pre-registration is required and space is limited!

Speaker Profile

Mollye Rhea, Founder and President, For Momentum
Agency Founder and President of For Momentum, currently ranked the #5 Cause Agency in the United States by Corporate Social Responsibility magazine, Mollye Rhea has 25+ years of experience in cause marketing strategy and strategic alliances.

Since founding For Momentum in 2003, Mollye and her team have played an agency role in 60+ partnerships, raised millions in cash and in-kind donations for charity clients and directed millions of dollars of resources for corporate clients.

While employed by For Momentum and previous NPO's, the For Momentum team has raised $250MM+ in resources for dozens of worthy organizations in partnership with hundreds of brands. Mollye has a well-rounded background, ideal for cause alliance development. Prior to forming For Momentum, Mollye served as GVP of Strategic Alliances for the national office of the Arthritis Foundation. Mollye previously held leadership roles for InterContinental Hotels Group, overseeing national brand strategy for the Holiday Inn brand.  And, she also has agency experience with Young & Rubicam and McCann-Erickson. As a result, Mollye understands all perspectives in the cause partnership equation.
  

Price: FREE for everyone. Pre-registration is required and space is limited!   

November 21, 2013: 12:30pm ET (Nonprofits) and 2:30pm ET (Business)    

 

Check out this great guide to help you with year end holiday giving strategies from Charity Navigator:

• Which charities earn the most at year-end
• Tips for giving this holiday season
• Highest and lowest rated charities by cause

Click here to read.

Most of the charities we work with here at Charity Charms engage a private or corporate sponsor to fund their charms.

On average, a $5000 donation can raise $20,000+.

Please consider our matching gift program if you want to help your favorite charity increase the impact of each donation. View our program at: http://www.charitycharms.com/matching-gift-program.html

#GivingTuesday Update

We wanted to share the latest update from the organizers of Giving Tuesday...

Dear #GivingTuesday Partners,

Happy Pro Bono Week!

We are just 40 days out from the big day!  Help us keep building that drumbeat of energy and conversation.  Remember to post regularly and share on social media--as organizations and as individuals--using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.  Our Thunderclap (details below) is part of that process so please take 30 seconds to add your voice!

For those of you who are looking for creative ways to give back, pro bono service is a great way to volunteer your time this December 3rd.  As we celebrate Pro Bono Week, the Taproot Foundation has provided tips and resources to help you incorporate pro bono service into your #GivingTuesday plans.  You can read more below or check out our shiny new site, www.community.givingtuesday.org/News, to browse more ideas and ways to get involved.  When you register your social channels you can quickly and easily share anything from the site in seconds!

Also, please check out our last Google+ Hangout on "The Religious Call to Give" -- stay tuned for more hangouts, webinars and toolkits!

Thanks for all you're doing,
The #GivingTuesday Team

THUNDERCLAP!

We launched a Thunderclap to mark the one-month countdown to #GivingTuesday and we need you all to participate.  If you are not familiar with a Thunderclap, all you need to do is sign up with your Facebook and/or Twitter.  A prearranged status update is then released at the same time for everyone who joins.  In other words, you reach networks of networks!  We are looking to really make a big impact, so please sign up and share with your friends!

Sign up here for the Thunderclap: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/5575-30-days-til-givingtuesday?locale=en

Tweet this as many times as you like until November 3 to help promote Giving Tuesday: 

Join me in taking a giving pledge this #GivingTuesday, Dec 3 by signing up for a thunderclap! http://ow.ly/pSNLr

Razoo - A Great Resource for Funding Non-Profits!

Charity Charms LOVES Razoo! It is such a great resource for crowd funding for non-profits.

We wanted to share this program being done by Austin Pets Alive through Razoo.

Also...check out the great Austin Pets Alive store where you can buy their custom GivingBands and Sterling Silver charms to support the cause!

Take the Alzheimer's Test...

My friend Katy Mueller and her husband Mike are actively involved with TGen and their Alzheimer's program.

She sent me this test to do and it was very revealing. My father had Alzheimer's and I encourage everyone to educate themselves on their risk factors and ways to support research to cure it, as most likely someone in your family will be affected.  

See also our Charity Spotlight on the The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation.

The NFL - Again Doing Their Part for Charity

We just came across this new program for Camp Kesem through the Cause Marketing Forum...it's great.....wanted to share. Read

Camp Kesem Launches Scoring For Good Campaign for 2013 NFL Season

SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 (Los Angeles, CA) Camp Kesem, a national organization that has pledged to support kids whose parents have been affected by cancer, is pleased to announce the launch of its exciting new initiative, Scoring For Good. In concert with the National Football League Players’ Association, Scoring For Good is a novel fundraising program in which participating NFL players will donate funds to Camp Kesem each time a qualifying play is made. Furthermore, fans and other donors, will be able to match their favorite player’s contributions. The program’s first three participating athletes include E.J. Manuel of the Buffalo Bills, Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers and Tyler Polumbus of the Washington Redskins. Scoring For Good will officially launch with a mobile app for both iPhone and Android users at the start of the 2013 NFL season.  Read more>>

And.....here is the adorable GivingBand we did for Camp Kesem

To find out how YOU can get a GivngBand for your organization visit:

www.charitycharms.com or contact me directly at kay@charitycharms.com

800.615.3120 

Government Shutdown Impacts Non-Profits

The Federal Government shutdown is, and will have a major impact on USA charities that depend on a portion of their funding. Here is an insightful and informative update from the Alliance of Arizona Non-Profits.

We wanted to share this important information:

In the Alliance’s annual survey on the impact of the economy earlier this year, Arizona nonprofits reported that for the first time since the beginning of the Great Recession, they would not be able to meet the increased demand for their services. (This mirrored national data collected by Nonprofit Finance Fund.) That was before they knew that a government shutdown in the fall would increase demand for services yet further.

Daily headlines remind us of the impact of the federal government shutdown on real people. That includes the people served by nonprofits. But this impact is not moving Congress. We need to lift our voices on behalf of our communities and let lawmakers know how much our communities are hurting. The Alliance urges you to tell us and tell the members of Congress what this shutdown means in your community.

We know that the government shutdown does more than strain our nonprofits – real people are being hurt. Community and human needs do not stop just because the federal government is not functioning – they actually increase.

We know that dedicated, resilient nonprofit leaders are working on these issues, but the enormity of the challenges requires that they have equally strong leadership in the public sector. Every nonprofit leader I know stands ready to work hand in hand with public leaders to solve problems and fix systems. But we must be at the table, and we must activate our organizations to fully participate in the civic sphere.

These are trying times for our communities. Never has the need for leadership been more apparent. Rick Cohen at Nonprofit Quarterly reminded us this week that we have an important role to play as a nonprofit community to provide that leadership and remind elected officials who matters most.

I wish I had an easy solution that would make this go away. I hope that this can be a call to action for every nonprofit leader to get involved, advocate for your communities, and help lead us forward.

Patrick McWhortor
President & CEO

What You Can Do

• Take action today! Urge your Representatives in Washington to immediately end the government shutdown and to vote for a clean continuing budget resolution without other conditions in order to stop the current government shutdown as soon as possible.  Just click on link below and send a letter.  This alert is provided by PAFCO and NASWAZ
• Don't sit on the sidelines. Be informed about policy decisions that impact your nonprofit, and get involved through initiatives like voter engagement.
• How have you been impacted? Share your experiences so we can understand and tell your story
• Please share any resources that you have turned to during this time that might help other nonprofits
• Make the connection in your communications so that your supporters understand your increased demand for services, threatened budgets, or needs of their neighbors
• Raise your voice and protect the sector by becoming a member of the Alliance today.

8 Ways to Get Ready for Giving Tuesday

Charity Charms is getting behind Giving Tuesday in a big way!!!

 

Dec 3rd, the national day of Giving, is the perfect opportunity for you to use your "Charming" stock on hand to increase donations and thank those that donate or volunteer on this special day

 

 

 

We wanted to share this article from HUBSPOT that gives all the details on the best way to maximize this event.

8 Essential Steps to Get Your Non-Profit Ready for Giving Tuesday

 

   

 

 

If you need to re-order GivingBands, Sterling Charms,

KeyChains, Ornaments, or Bangles...don't delay

 

PLAN NOW for HOLIDAY GIVING

Contact us at info@charitycharms.com

or call

800.615.3120

Verify the Tax-Exempt Status of Potential Non-Profit Clients

Guidestar provides a wealth of information about non-profits and we use it whenever we work with new charities. They offer in depth information to make informed decisions. I found this recent e-mail message very helpful:

Guidestar can help you simplify your due diligence. GuideStar Charity Check is the only pre-grant due-diligence product that is 100% compliant with IRS requirements for qualifying recipients of grants and tax-deductible contributions. GuideStar Charity Check packages up the trusted information your clients need to make confident giving decisions.
Anatomy of a GuideStar Charity Check Report

Tangibility in Cause Marketing

I just read this article on Tangibility in the Cause Marketing Forum Newsletter and wanted to share it.

It really resonated with me, as we know at Charity Charms, that when supporters have something meaningful (and tangible)  ...like a custom charm bracelet....that people are proud to wear and use....it can be an incredible way of spreading the message for the cause.   

Tangibility Pays Off for Target, FEED and Feeding America

CMF Corporate Member Target has already hit its goal of donating 10 million meals to CMF Nonprofit Member Feeding America via its FEED collection.

Anecdotally, our friends at Target share that one successful aspect of the collection that spans three categories (women's and men's apparel as well as housewares) is that consumers walk away knowing exactly how many meals were donated as a result of their purchase (each product is adorned with a number representing meals donated). The 10 million meals donated is not a cap and merchandise sold will continue to benefit Feeding America through mid-October in store and through November online.

Avoiding Mission Failure and Outcome Failure with your Fundraising Program

When we work with our non-profit and business clients to create custom fundraising bracelet programs, our first question is how will you use them and what is your goal? Does our product match your fundraising mission? 

All of our clients are very mindful of budget and ROI, and I thought this article from Eric Miller at donate.net was an excellent way to avoid "Mission Failure, and an Outcome Failure." with any of the fundraising programs you consider.

Enjoy, 
Kay

Making Money Match your Mission A common problem in fundraising for any athletic team or booster club is working in a Mission Failure, creating a fundraising plan and project that runs counter to your real goal and doesn’t bring in the funds you need.  As a volunteer, board member chair person or even president, you repeatedly come up against some of the same challenges you find yourself in today.

In shifting economies, we have to raise sufficient dollars to advance our mission.  Working in organizations which are largely volunteer driven and have limited resources, how do you maximize the funds you can raise?  How do you juggle the multiple roles that are necessary to run it efficiently?  And, how do you focus your message to help your donors give more to your bottom line?

By focusing on some fundamentals in fundraising we can identify strategies to avoid mission, system and outcome failures in your fundraising efforts.   Asking for donations is an important challenge for an organization, and one must think things through, to come up with a better, more innovative way to invite donors to be a part of your team.

Think for a moment… What is the Mission of your organization?
Are you a Soccer team; a Band; a Student Council?

What is it that you want to teach your participants and partners?
Teamwork, Commitment, Citizenship?

                Let’s do a case study:
                                The travelling baseball team needs to raise $1000.00 to attend a regional tournament.  So… The team decides to sell candy bars.  15 players sell 40 candy bars each, that’s a total of 600 candy bars, each candy bar is $3.00, so you collect $1800.00.  Now, each candy bar cost the team $1.50, so your real income is $900.00.
Not bad… but did you meet your goals?  Did you raise the funds you need?  Who earned the most in the program; you or the candy company?  And what did you teach your athletes about healthy choices and good nutrition?  Is the quality of the program matched by the products you sell?

Does your fundraising match your mission?

This is what we call a Mission Failure, and an Outcome Failure.  Not only did you not raise the money you needed, but you became distracted from the goal of your program.  Is this how you want to spend your time, your energy, and your resources?  It is labor intensive, costly, and it offers a poor ROI (Return on Investment).

What you may need is an innovative approach that works with you to create and manage new programs to develop more funds and more friends.  What is important is to focus on is your mission:  be it Academics, Athletics, Cultural Arts or Community Service. You will achieve better results with careful INNOVATION.

What would it mean if, you spend less time selling, spend less money on products and spend more energy on your mission?  You would raise more money, you would have more supporters, and you would make more friends.

Just one idea for a baseball team:

In regular practice there are many baseballs.  Each week you cycle through the good ones and the ones that need to be retired.  Now, instead of throwing out the used practice balls, you offer to sign the baseball and offer it to your donors to help you practice.  Each ball can raise up to $100.00 just because you signed it.  How about we use the game ball that you won in the tournament and offer it up for $500.00?  Your family and friends get to be involved in your team.  They are rooting for you.  You get to tell them how baseball makes you more healthy and focused and more confident.  You and your family and friends are more engaged… everyone wins!

This is a fundraising appeal that matches your mission.

So, what is the bottom line?  You have a choice.  Stick with the same program you have been running year after year. Spend your time, energy, and money working as a part time sales rep for a candy /popcorn /pine straw company to fund your program or use your Imagination fueled with Innovation and Automation to create a new path to better fundraising.

Eric Miller is the President of Donate.net, Inc., a fundraising technology company launched in 1997.  After years of professional experience in marketing and development, Eric found a way to merge his passion for community service with his business skills.  By using a state-of–the-art website, donate.net helps organizations maximize technology and social media as a fundraising tool.
 We are always interested in learning more about your fundraising and community building.
Send us an email with your story and we can share with our community your challenges and successes.             Tell me more by email, send to:  emiller@donate.net.
For more information visit us at:  www.donate.net.

Six "Gives" to Share Across All of Your Networks

Giving receives a whole new meaning when I read this post from my friend Margie Albert.

Charity Charms is a company that provides non-profits a vehicle to spread awareness....but when we work with our clients we also give and share ideas to help them be successful. We have always just considered this part of the process, but Margie's article makes us realize we need to share all of our valuable information and interaction across our networks.

Enjoy!

Kay

Today’s remark – 6 "gives"        In today’s world we are all about “self-serve” (term stolen from the must read book  “Youtility”). We search everything ourselves and prefer to get as much information as we can without talking to an outside source other than our friends. Therefore, as a business, in order to become a friend we must be willing to give – and give and give and give. Yes, no more embargoing information if we want to be part of today’s business. If we don’t get it from you we will find a way to get it from someone else. What does that mean? It means to be in control we must lose control and give. Here are a few suggestions for “giving:” 1. Give information your clients want – don’t hold back. On your website, in your blogs (if you aren’t blogging you should be), in Social Media – information all about them! Give facts, data, trends, everything an advertiser would need to want to do business with you. Stop asking and start giving. 2. Give guidance – help your fellow workers and clients become successful, help those who aren’t as fortunate as you are, help advertisers do the right thing even if it doesn’t include your station. 3. Give encouragement – a simple “nice job” can make someone’s day. We get bombarded oftentimes with criticism in the form of “suggestions to improve” all the time. How about giving real encouragement? And often! To co-workers, friends, clients, neighbors – everyone. 4. Give time – we are all busy but we allocate and prioritize our time so give some to those who need it. Might only be 10 seconds but when someone asks you a question or for your opinion take the time necessary to provide it. Shrugging someone off can be devastating to them plus you just might be tossing away a perspective you hadn’t thought of. 5. Give ideas – ideas are today’s’ currency. Be generous. Take a chance with your ideas. Do you know how many people thought Steve Jobs was insane?! Maybe he was a little but look what he accomplished for us!! 6. Give your excellence – you expect others to give their best so you have to as well – every day, all the time. Everyone fails at times but the real failure is not trying with all you have to offer. Be committed to giving and you will be remark-able. Plus you will be amazed and what you get in return!! What "gives" with you?!

- Margie  Follow Margie on Twitter  Connect with Margie on Linked In  Like Margie on Facebook

Originally posted at:

http://www.icontact-archive.com/DlNjtH4tRKalh4mqlET7v-59ngMpuZDw?w=4

Charity Spotlight - The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation

We love to SPOTLIGHT ways Charity Charms are being used.

A message from the ARPF:

"The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF) is pleased to announce a wonderful fundraising initiative with an item that will make a great gift item for family members, friends and colleagues who have been touched by Alzheimer's disease.  In a SPECIAL offering, we have partnered with Charity Charms, a national organization dedicated to helping non-profits bring awareness to their cause, by offering a way to REMEMBER those that are affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Together we created a beautiful "Memory Band" with a charm that you will be proud to wear or gift.  Made from recycled lead free pewter with an earth friendly silicone band, it has the image of an elephant. As you know, an elephant "never forgets".  We took that image and created these "Memory Bands" to give you a way to honor and remember your loved ones that are affected by this disease. This year, ARPF is celebrating its 20th anniversary and created a special edition of these bands.

Please consider supporting the research and work of the ARPF by wearing our bracelet and telling your story about how Alzheimer's disease has affected you."

To order directly from the ARPF click below:

Learn how your organization can create its own custom charm program.

Simply click below or call (800) 615-3120.