That's The Way To Travel!

I can't wait until my kids are old enough to travel like this: 

http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/travel/volunteer-trips-is-your-family-ready.html?pagewanted=all

Thank you @lliance!

A special thank you to Michael Alberg-Seberich for meeting with me last month to discuss Little Givers.  We had a great chat and I am encouraged by the positive change happening around the globe (he hails from Germany).  Let's keep thinking about how to teach the next generation what is good and right - giving, caring, empathy, volunteering and leaving the world just a little bit better than it is....

Here's a link to the article:

http://philanthropynews.alliancemagazine.org

Honestly good

The Honest Company www.honest.com is smart - and its not just for moms. They offer natural, non-toxic, eco-friendly, organic bath and skin care products and green cleaning products, all packaged nicely and delivered to your door monthly. I'm so happy I don't have to think about whether or not I have laundry detergent or body wash. 

Plus, for every product purchased they donate products, money, time and effort to addressing critical health and social issues affecting children and families. They are currently partnering with Baby2Baby - www.baby2baby.org. 

Good products, good philosophy, good for me.

Happy Giving!

NYT - Don't Indulge, Be Happy

This is a great article from The New York Times (July 8 2012) entitled, 'Don't Indulge.  Be Happy'.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/opinion/sunday/dont-indulge-be-happy.html?pagewanted=all

The article talks about the fact that everyone thinks making more money will automatically make us happier - which is true......but only up to a point.  After a certain point, what makes people even happier is being able to help others.

The developmental psychologist Kiley Hamlin took this concept one step further and gave toddlers goldfish crackers.  Of course, the children were thrilled to receive the treat, but when asked to share their crackers with a monkey puppet, they were found to be even happier than just receiving the treat and eating it themselves.

These are great findings to support that giving is good, has benefits beyond helping the recipient, and can be done at a young age with positive results.

Happy Giving!

happy dog, happy cat, happy kids

Everyone needs love...even animals.  Many pet shelters will let you play with the animals if you call ahead and arrange a time.  This is a great rainy day activity.   Another great idea is sponsoring an animal and helping them find a home by posting signs in your neighborhood.

We like Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) www.barcshelter.org which is a not-for-profit, no kill, privately run animal shelter that provides a safe haven for abandoned animals and works to find them permanent loving homes.  They also have a volunteer schedule on their website to make it easy to help out.

Happy Giving!

Simple Ways to Show Appreciation

Have you thought of leaving a note for your mail carrier?  I'll bet it would really brighten his/her day if a note appeared from a child saying 'Thank you!"

Have you thought of donating old books to your local public library or doctor's office?

Have you thought of planting flowers at your local park?  (get permission first, but many parks would welcome new flowers and little 'workers' to help plant them!)


Happy Giving!

One For One

Toms shoes (www.toms.com) aren't only stylish and comfortable - they also give a pair of shoes to a person in need for every pair purchased.  As of September 2010, they donated 1,000,000 pairs of shoes to people in 20 different countries.  I love the little girls styles!

For more about One For One:  http://www.toms.com/our-movement/movement-one-for-one