Day One - Kids Edition

Kids are passionate creatures.  Their interest, when peaked, can quickly turn to an obsession.  Sometimes that can make shopping for them easy, and other times quite discouraging.  How many stuffed animals can you buy? 

That makes kids perfect for this g2g idea.

Prepare yourself, I've been busy.

Wild Animal Lover:  http://www.wwf.org/

The World Wildlife Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 charity.  They are recognized by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability.  $.82 of every dollar goes towards conservation.  They have an animal adoption program that features over 100 animals!  Donation levels start at $25.

Horsegirl or Cowboy:  http://www.gwtc.net/~iram/index.html

The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is a registered 501 (c)3 charity.  They have a great horse sponsorship program.  It is here:  http://www.gwtc.net/~iram/sponsorshipkit.html.  This sponsorship appeals to me for a variety of reasons.  1.  You get to pick your horse.  2.  There is a monthly newsletter updating you about the sponsored horses.  and 3.  You can renew the gift from year to year.  Their donation information states that outside of production costs for packet materials all remaining donation costs go to the mustang sponsored.

Aspiring Chef:  http://www.wish.org/

The Make a Wish Foundation is a registered 501 (c)3 charity.  They enrich the lives of children with life threatening medical conditions through wish granting.  There are no words to describe the great work that they Make a Wish Foundation does each and everyday, but you may be wondering what they have to do with being a chef.

They don't.  I got a little creative on this one because I really like the charity.  Why not make a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation, then package the donation card with: a recipe for your favorite sugar cookies, some gourmet decorative sugars, a rolling pin, and a star shaped cookie cutter?  I love this one two fold because it is a gift for a child that helps a child.

or...

Make a donation to your local food pantry.  You can package the donation card with a bread pan and several quick bread mixes. 

Maybe your little chef will even be inspired to have a bake sale and donate the proceeds back to either Make a Wish or the Food Pantry!

Athlete:  http://www.livestrong.com/

Most people have heard about Lance Armstrong and his incredible victory over cancer.  Inspire your athlete to strive harder, reach higher, and dream bigger by purchasing Livestrong products.  All of the profits from the Nike Livestrong merchandise Go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help fight cancer.  You can find Livestrong products at many sports retailers, as well as http://www.nike.com/.

Fashionista:  http://www.toms.com/

Tom created his company on a simple premise.  Buy a pair of shoes.  He will then give a pair of shoes to a child in need.  One for one.  Such a simple idea, such a huge impact!  Read more about it on their website.  You can't help but be inspired!

Bookworm:  http://www.kohls.com/

Kohls Cares for Kids a program that supports kids health and education programs.  100% of the profits from the sale of cause merchandise goes to support those programs.  This season it is Dr. Seuss.  Give a classic Seuss book and spark the imagination of a child!

Fairy in Training:  http://www.wish.org/

See the description above for the Make a Wish Foundation.  This time, however, pack your donation with a pair of fairy wings and a bottle of pixie dust (glitter and sand).  Let your little fairy dream of making others dreams come true!

Finally, a little research into your child's hopes and dreams may yield even more specific results.  Karen Ray's class at school is doing a project relating to Sea Turtles.  Of the many programs that offer Sea Turtle Adoption, I selected http://www.conserveturtles.org/adoptaturtle.php.  I liked the fact that since it included a monthly newsletter, the gift would continue long after Christmas!

Happy Shopping!

Oh, and tomorrow is g2g for teens!