Tag: Charity

Last Minute Gift Guide: Brands That Give Back

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Last minute gift shopping? Check out these 12 brands that give back!

T’is the season for giving! Finding meaningful gift for everyone special in your life is no easy feat. Luckily, we’ve got a round up of 12 great brands that can make your last-minute gifting a little extra special. Not only will you love these brands and their products but each of these humbling companies have unique ways that they give back. Just by doing a little holiday shopping you can help work towards making a difference in the world. Check out these brands that #giveback to find the perfect gifts for the holiday season!

1. State Bags

For every purchase, State Bags supports American children and families in need. Their giving initiatives include donating fully packed backpacks at signature “Bag Drop” rallies and fueling #WhatDoWeTellTheKids activations and special projects with partner charities and schools.

The #WhatDoWeTellTheKids initiative was first launched in 2016 to bring attention to important social issues and help to spark and guide what are often seen as difficult conversations with kids. Topics have included, #BlackLivesMatter, damaging language directed at LGBTQ and disabled communities, the Flint water crisis and the national anthem protests. You can check out more of their initiatives – and their stylish bags on their website.

2. The Tote Project

The Tote Project was founded by two best friends with a passion for creating a brand that gives back. They started their journey to create a tote bag company that empowers survivors of human trafficking around the world. Now, they have spread awareness to hundreds of people through speaking engagements, social media, press and online resources. They have donated $40,680 and counting to empower survivors and those at risk of sex trafficking. On top of that, all of their products support and empower the people who make them – they work closely with their fair-trade partners to ensure that their supply chain is free of human trafficking and child labor.

3. MABLE

MABLE is a company creating beautiful products made from sustainable materials that prevent plastic waste from harming the environment. MABLE works with communities and educators to help spread awareness on the importance of making sustainable choices and will donate a toothbrush for very one purchased!

4. FAZL

Fazl’s backstory is the root of their love. Founders Mike and Vanessa met in North India while on a trip volunteering at orphanages. In 2015, they moved to from Canada to a tiny Himalayan single-road village so that they could serve orphanage children long term. Fazl all started when Vanessa held up a pair of handmade socks and had the idea of not only supporting the children, but also the women who make these beautiful products. From there, Fazl was started. Their mission is to give back to the orphanages and to provide Himachali women a safe place to express their creativity and earn fair wages. Now they employ over 500 different artisans and are growing every day. Every time you purchase something from Fazl, you provide food, shelter, education, and clothing to orphaned and impoverished children in India. They also dedicate 50% of their net profits to this cause. While they are excited for what is to come and adding new products and patterns, they know that the “main legacy of FAZL lies with the women who create these socks.”

5. Ivory Ella

Ivory Ella takes pride in their knowledge and love of elephants. Elephants are some of the most relatable creatures in the world, with a complex consciousness and capability for strong emotions. The ivory trade, coupled with accelerating habitat and range loss, has put the elephant population at risk. Ivory Ella is trying to change that. Working alongside their partners at Save the Elephants, they have donated over $2 million to Save the Elephants and other charitable organizations. They have 400+ elephants tracked across the wilds of Africa using GPS Collar Technology and have over 65 employees and 18 schools working to support their mission.

They also donate to and partner with other organizations such as Young Survival Coalition, Pollinator Partnership, Earth Day, Reef Restoration Foundation and more. And you can help too! They encourage their customers to shop responsibly with companies that promote sustainability, and use their voice on social media platforms to stay informed and spread the word on the importance of protecting vulnerable species and giving back. Ivory Ella donates 10% if all profits to these organizations, so every purchase you make from is already making a difference.

6. Cuddle and Kind

Cuddle and Kind was started by parents of three young children who were shocked to learn the true statistics of childhood hunger. 6 million primary school-aged children attend classes hungry every day. 45% of deaths in children under five are caused by poor nutrition –that’s 3.1 million children each year. Devastated by these numbers, Cuddle and Kind’s founders wanted to do something to make a change. For every doll purchased, 10 meals are provided to children in need around the world through their respected giving partners, including World Food Program USA School Meals Program, Children’s Hunger Fund, Orphanages in Haiti and Breakfast Club of Canada.  By providing nutritious school meals, these organizations give students the energy to learn and play. Plus, providing nutritious meals is considered one of the most effective ways to empower children to break out of the cycle of poverty, providing additional incentives for attendance and for families to send their children to school.

More than just an adorable gift for the little ones in your life, these dolls provide the opportunity to help kids all around the world. So far, the dolls that customers have purchased have helped Cuddle & Kind donate meals to kids in 66 countries.

7. Hand in Hand

When Hand in Hand started their business in 2011, millions of children were dying each year from water-related illnesses that could be prevented with washing hands alone. Hand in Hand decided to create a soap and program to help save lives with their Buy One, Give Back program. They have since donated 13.8 million bars of soap, 120k gallons of water and have served 23 countries to date. They have partnered with Eco Soap Bank and My Neighbors Children to help install and repair clean water wells and to recycle and distribute leftover hand soap. In addition to their Buy One, Give Back initiative, a portion of every purchase directly supports their global mission to provide communities access to soap, clean water and hygiene education.  

Sustainability is also important to Hand in Hand. They are one of the first brands to use infinitely recyclable aluminum in their packaging and are currently developing a bottle pump that is recyclable as well. All of their products are 100% vegan and never derived from or tested on animals. They also refuse to use palm oil in order to protect rainforest ecosystems and endangered species from deforestation and destruction.

8. Handbands of Hope

Handbands for Hope gives back by putting smiles on faces. For every item sold, a headband is donated to a child with an illness. They also want to be a part of the solution, so each year during their Headband Together Week, they donate 10% of their sales to a charitable organization working to cure childhood illnesses. They also have a program called “Headband Hero” where each quarter they choose a child battling illness to be their Headband Hero. For 24-48 hours, 20% of their online sales will go to the child’s family for use towards their medical bills. A donation of headbands will be sent to their hospital of treatment as well. Headbands for Hope also hosts and annual Give Gala. Unlike other Galas, which are focused on raising money through high prices tickets and silent auctions, attendees of the Give Gala come offering a service, gift or talent to children with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. Some examples include photography lessons, use of beach house property, tickets to sporting events, personal styling and more.

9. Conscious Step  

Need a comfy sweatshirt that helps save dogs or a pair of socks that plant trees? Look no further, Conscious Step has what you need! Every purchase from Conscious Step supports one of their 17 partner organizations and the communities they serve. These include Habitat for Humanity, Action Against Hunger, Malaria No More, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Oceana, Best Friends – Save them all, The Trevor Project and many more. To date, they have donated $506,719. They also pride themselves in their effort to keep their manufacturing sustainable and transparent. Their socks are made from clean, organic cotton by empowered producers in safe and fair working conditions. They are certified in Global Organic Textile Standard, Fairtrade Cotton, Certified Vegan and 1% for the Planet!

10. FIGS

Need a gift for the healthcare hero in your life? FIGS is a healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand that celebrates, empowers, and serves current and future generations of healthcare professionals. Threads for Threads put an initiative in place where for every set of scrubs sold, they donate a set to healthcare professionals who work in resource-poor countries and lack the proper uniform to do their jobs safely. They have also partnered with amazing organizations and humans who have helped them deliver their scrubs and donate their time, expertise, and care. They have partnered with 60 organizations and donated to 35 countries while making a ton of memories along the way.

11. Rescue Dog Wines

Rescue Dog Wines’ goal is to not only produce world-class award-winning wines from locally sourced, certified green sustainable grapes but to also bring awareness to, celebrate and provide financial support to the rescue dog movement. 50% of their profits go to support rescue dogs and charity organizations as well as local SPCAs (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). They also volunteer their time, and personally foster dogs as well!

12. Love your Melon

Love your Melon was founded by two friends who wanted to start a business with meaningful and positive social impact. With a goal to improve the lives of children battling cancer, it began with a simple idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America.

Their goal was to give back 45,000 hats, one for every child battling cancer in America. To date, they have given over 8.3 million dollars to fight against pediatric cancer and over 200,000 hats to children battling cancer. 50% of net profits from the sale of all products are given to organizations around the world that lead the fight against pediatric cancer. They also give back by providing relief for children through creating unforgettable adventures. They have the opportunity to take children battling cancer on unique therapeutic adventures tailored specifically to their interests.

They also have a “request a hat” program, giving friends and families the opportunity to surprise a child battling cancer with a Love your Melon Hat in hopes to provide smiles and support during difficult times. Not only that, but with their “send a smile” initiative, you can make a child’s day by sending them words of encouragement and well wishes in a Superhero Card that will be personally delivered to them.

2020: Giving Back & Looking Forward

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At Smith Design, giving back is at the heart of our actions. In 2020, it was an honor to be a part of incredible causes and campaigns that provide support to those in need and advocate for progress on important issues. 

Earlier this year, we partnered with multiple organizations to bring relief to those impacted by COVID-19. Through the #EN95 Campaign, on our social media channels we brought attention to the need for PPE and encouraged donations of masks, money, blood, and food to assist the medical community and their patients.  

We pulled together as a team to provide support for the responders on the front line of COVID-19. We worked with FLAG, Front Line Appreciation Group, to create Flag Fuel Boxes. These Fuel Boxes provided food and words of encouragement for front line and essential workers. Members of our team and their families purchased and packed these care packages and wrote personal notes for these unsung heroes.  Together, we completed 172 boxes! We can’t thank our frontline workers enough for all that they have done throughout these challenging months.  

To continue to drive awareness of CDC guidelines and to help #StopTheSpread, our design team created graphic PSAs for the #HelpByDesign campaign. This initiative brings messages of hope during this time of uncertainty throughout lockdowns, restrictions, and social distancing. The campaign is run by the group Known Unknown, a global community of designers. Participating in this campaign helped connect us with designers all over the world and proves the importance of visual communication as a unifying tool in times of crisis. 

In support of the fight against systemic racism, Smith Design made contributions towards the organizations Black Lives Matter and Color of Change. Through our social media network, we strived to bring attention to these additional organizations that seek to dismantle the injustices and inequalities perpetuated by racism: 

In honor of Pride Month, Smith Design donated in support of The Trevor Project and The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network. We also promoted other important organizations that support the LGBTQ community:  

This holiday season, Smith Design proudly supported our troops via Trees for Troops. Our donation of 10 trees meant free farm-grown Christmas Trees were provided to United States Armed Forces members and their families across all branches of the military. Visit treesfortroops.org to learn more about their program that delivers “the spirit of Christmas to military families – one Christmas Tree at a time”.  

Believe it or not, the #1 requested item in homeless shelters is socks. Knowing this crucial shortage during the winter months ahead, we donated 900 pairs of socks to people in need, including our local shelter.

Our team was excited to participate in LEGO’s #BuildToGive initiative, a campaign that donates sets of LEGO to children in need for every LEGO ornament shared online with the hashtag. It was a joy to create the ornaments for a good cause, with our teams’ very own LEGO Master leading the way.  

In a year of uniquely challenging circumstances, we have strived to push kindness and caring forward through these giving back initiatives. We look forward to continuing to support these and other great causes in 2021. Here’s to another year of compassion, optimism, altruism and teamwork!  

Charitable Packaging Shows Brands’ Softer Side

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It’s always nice to see brands support great causes, and packaging is a creative way to emphasize the importance of giving back.

Charitable packaging supports important causes by raising awareness. This packaging can also be a call-to-action, inspiring others to support the cause as well. Charitable packaging is often a smaller part of a brand’s overall partnership with a cause. Consumers have come to expect brands to make a conscious effort to give back to the community. Showing their charitable side through these partnerships help brands connect with their consumers on a human level. 

Dial® partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters through the Healthier Futures™ program. Healthier Futures™ promotes healthy hygiene habits. To show their support, Dial® featured artwork on their packaging that incorporates drawings by the children who participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters. The packaging captures the spirit of Big Brothers Big Sisters so delightfully with scenes that represent the mission of the organization and raises awareness of their initiatives to support children and their communities. 

Patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital showcased their artwork on Green Giant’s limited edition packaging. The cans featured illustrations of vegetables; sweetcorn growing tall, dancing green beans and sunny blue skies are all featured prominently in the colorful labels. The cans are one of the ways Green Giant shows their support of St Jude. The brand also donates money towards St. Jude’s amazing research, and encourages their employees to support the cause as well. In 2018, B&G Foods donated $350,000 on behalf of the Green Giant brand. 

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Hormel Foods raised awareness of childhood hunger with their limited edition Chili can designs. The limited-edition label represents the first time the brand has shifted away from its conventional yellow, orange, and red color scheme on its Hormel®Chili No Bean variety in more than 80 years. The cans represent the brand’s partnership with professional football player Adam Thielen for a campaign called “Thursdays with Thielen”. For every yard Thielen gained during a game, Hormel Foods donated Hormel Chili to Second Harvest Heartland in the Twin Cities. Hormel Foods was able to donate 20,000 cans, which provided about 15,000 meals. 

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Now more than ever, consumers need to see that the brands they support are kind, caring, and human. The brands featured above are going beyond a charitable donation by making a powerful statement on their actual packaging – a proud and bold declaration of support to their causes.

Smith Design’s 40 Acts of Kindness: February 2019

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Smith Design’s 40 Acts of Kindness picked up steam in February, supporting Night to Shine, Market Street Mission, Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, and Pinups for Pitbulls.

The Tim Tebow Foundation first launched Night to Shine in 2015 as a way to give an unforgettable prom night experience to people with special needs, taking place across 26 states and 3 countries.  Just 4 short years later, on February 8th2019, the event was held simultaneously in all 50 states and 22 different countries around the world!

Smith Design was a sponsor of the event in Haskell, New Jersey, also providing signs for non-verbal guests and those with reading disabilities. Our own Emma Medina was on hand in for the festivities, and she snapped some great pictures of the honored guests dancing the night away!

Peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Pinups and pitbulls? We may not be there yet, but we’re getting closer!  Pinups for Pitbulls was founded in 2005 as a model’s way to try and change the perception around a friendly breed that had gotten a bad rap over the years.

Lexi Savino volunteered to help run the Mosh for Pits fundraiser for the organization on February 23rdon Staten Island, ultimately helping to raise nearly $1000 for this important cause.

For dogs looking for their ‘furever’ homes, sometimes even the smallest gestures make a HUGE difference. Emma collected and donated towels, blankets and – perhaps most importantly – new toys to the four-legged guests at Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, an organization that provides animals with medical services and helps them secure good adoptive homes.

Finally, Smith Design partnered with our Morristown neighbors at Market Street Mission to help the poor in Morris County.  The team delivered coats, gloves and hats, helping to bring warmth to those in need. We consider it a special privilege to be able to help people in our own backyard, and we wish Market Street Mission continued success in their future endeavors providing a variety of different services to members of our community.

Smith Design Officially Kicks Off 40 Acts of Kindness Initiative

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It’s been a busy few weeks for the team at Smith Design- and not just during business hours! Our 40 Acts of Kindness initiative (celebrating Smith Design’s 40 years in business with 40 volunteer efforts) got off to a great start, coordinating with local and global organizations to pay it forward and make a positive impact in our community.

You can find Gretchen Roughgarden every week at the Wayne Animal Shelter, providing exercise, socialization and -most importantly- affection to dogs waiting to find their forever homes. She recognized the opportunity while in the process of adopting her own fur baby (Dorothy) from an animal shelter last year, and the rest is history!

On a freezing January morning, the last thing you might think about is spending time outdoors- but for children in the heart of New York City, spending quality time outside in nature can be a breath of fresh air! And since 1877, the Fresh Air Fund has worked tirelessly to ensure summers for children in low-income neighborhoods are spent in the great outdoors- learning, laughing, and celebrating summer!

Smith Design was happy to help, with both a monetary donation and by delivering 125 blankets to The Fresh Air Fund in January, specially made for campers spending a night under the stars. We salute the organization’s ongoing efforts to give every child a summer they’ll never forget!

 

The Souper Bowl of Caring is an organization that works to mobilize those looking to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities each year around the time of the Super Bowl. The organization was originally founded by a youth group in 1990 and has since grown all over the world, collecting more than $130 million donated back into their own communities.

The Smith Design team collected and donated more than 250 cans of soup through Souper Bowl of Caring, who then distributed them to food banks right here in New Jersey.