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Holiday Gifts That Keep Giving

Imagine a world without poverty, a world at peace, a world without suffering, a world full of abundance for everyone . . . It is the age old dream of countless generations, a dream that I like to think we are still working toward. So just imagine if you will, being able to help in some small way this holiday season, to make a difference. When you stop to think about how fortunate we are to have all that we need in our lives, a roof over our head, food on the table, the love of family and friends; to give more isn’t an issue. So, if you have a few more gifts to buy consider giving something that will benefit someone other than the receiver, a gift that will keep giving beyond the holiday season, and yes, I have some ideas . . .

Close to home, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has delighted audiences worldwide for 49 seasons. Known as America’s Cultural Ambassador to the World, it was founded in 1958 and has performed for more than 21 million people in 71 countries and on 6 continents. But, you don’t have to be an aficionado of dance to appreciate the legacy of Alvin Ailey and their phenomenal growth led by artistic director, Judith Jamison. Note to self: They could not continue with out the support of contributions. You must know someone who would appreciate an Ailey Gift Membership! A gift membership will help make a lasting impact. For instance, $150 will enable a student to take 10 dance classes at The Ailey School, $300 will allow 40 inner-city children see an Ailey performance for free, $600 will buy leotards for 35 AileyCampers and $1,250 will pay for the creation of a costume for a new work of the Ailey Company. To support the artistry, vision, and innovative programs of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, from the creation of new works to the expansion of their vital education and community programs that serve thousands of young people around the world visit their site www.alvinailey.org. There’s more . . . With every gift membership purchased before December 31, 2007 receive a 20% discount voucher good toward two orchestra tickets to an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance at New York City Center* *Good for select performances, for tickets with a minimum value of $80. Subject to availability.

Are you familiar with VistaPrint? Well, they are known for printing free business cards (you know you ordered them), but they also happen to be the leading online supplier of high-quality graphic design services and customized printed products. This year they partnered with America’s Second Harvest (ASH), which is the Nation’s Food Bank Network and the largest charitable hunger-relief organization in the country, to offer special holiday cards designed by children who participate in ASH programs nationally. Here’s the best part: Not only can you customize the cards by uploading your own graphics and photographs; VistaPrint is donating 50% of the profits to America’s Second Harvest! If you have ordered their free business cards, give a little something back to them by supporting their efforts this season. Cards are $12.99 for 10. Visit www.vistaprint.com to order.

MetLife, the insurance giant made a splash during Fashion Week here in New York with the launch of their support of Dress For Success’ worldwide mission to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, through the sale of a limited edition “if” scarf. To date Dress For Success has helped more than 350,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. The organization, established in 1997 now has expanded to more than 80 cities in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK. The limited edition “if” scarf was designed exclusively for MetLife by ECHO and is a beautiful, square of 100% heavy-weight silk complete with hand-rolled edges. To make a fashion statement while supporting another woman’s hopes and dreams- the “ifs” in life; go to www.metlife.com and search if Scarf. $48.00. 100% of the profits (which amounts to 43% of the proceeds) from the sale of MetLife's "if" silk scarf will benefit Dress for Success Worldwide.

The Simmons Jewelry Company co-owners Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons announced the first creation from its new Green Initiative jewelry collection of conscious jewelry. The line was inspired by a recent fact-finding trip to Botswana and South Africa taken by Russell Simmons and a Simmons Jewelry Co. delegation to see how diamonds, a natural resource in Africa, were empowering Africans. Upon their return, they announced the formation of the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) and the Green Initiative. The D.E.F. is an international, non-profit organization, with a mission to raise money for educational programs to uplift the people and communities of Africa. The Green Initiative’s mission is to raise funds for the D.E.F. The company is donating 50% of net profits to the Diamond Empowerment Fund. The Green Bracelet features malachite beads and a single rough diamond inside a brass cage dangle. $125.00 is a small price to pay to contribute to the education of the human resources of a continent! To purchase visit www.simmonsjewelryco.com

And while we are on the subject of Africa . . . There is an organization called Millennium Promise, whose mission is to end extreme poverty worldwide by 2025 through eight globally endorsed objectives and that address the many aspects of extreme poverty in Africa with an eye to ending poverty there by 2015. It is a heady dream, but one certainly worth pursuing. Think for a moment about what their success could mean to mankind! They already have the support of celebrities such as John Legend and Angelina Jolie, and socially-conscious individuals like Mary Fanaro, an LA-based entrepreneur, founded a company called OmniPeace and has pledged proceeds of the sale of t-shirts and other branded merchandise to Millennium Promise. Call it fashion with a cause. OmniPeace t-shirts are on sale beginning at $28.00. To learn more about Millennium Promise and OmniPeace go to www.millenniumpromise.org

And remember, “There but for the grace of God . . .” We could all go there! It doesn’t take much to tip the balance. We might not be able to save the world, but we can certainly contribute to a universal consciousness that is trying to. Look for and give gifts that keep giving year round. Think about it. See you next week.

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