Local GIfts That Give Back

Friday, December 17, 2010

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor Andrea E. McHugh

It is in fact, better to give than to receive, but it's even better to give gifts with far-reaching benefits that boast a greater good. Whether back by a big name brand, crafted by a skilled artisan or inspired by someone extraordinary, these gifts capture the true holiday spirit.

A "Time" for Giving

We told you about Pawtucket’s groundbreaking organization PeaceLove earlier this month, which is chipping away at the stigma of mental illness and providing outreach for those struggling with the disease. Luxury watch maker Philip Stein (the name may sound familiar if you saw Oprah's Favorite Things show—they designed the talk show host’s 25th anniversary watch) has chosen PeaceLove as their inaugural partner in their national “Time for a Cause” charity campaign and product line. Proceeds from each watch ($225) provide art programs for 10 PeaceLove clients. Also, PeaceLove has partnered with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, to co-promote the important mission of awareness creation, and introduced limited-edition art tees, available at shop.peacelovestudios.com.

Four-Legged Philanthropy

Middletown’s Potter League for Animals is the first animal shelter to gain LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, and inside the cheerful, architecturally intriguing building you’ll find Bloomingtails, a charming little boutique stocked with fun finds for people and pets with all proceeds benefiting the shelter. Jewelry by Sequin, chew toys for dogs, kitty toys, plus clothing and caps for the human set are all on sale for people to purchase with a purpose.

Continuing a Legacy

Hollie’s on the Avenue in Warren carries EyeHeartLil jewelry, a line designed by the mother of Lillian Chason, a University of North Carolina freshman who was losing her eyesight to a degenerative condition called Stargardt’s disease when she died from complications after contracting the H1N1 virus. The signature design is derived from a little tattoo Lillian’s mother drew on her wrist on her 18th birthday. All profits from the sale of EyeHeartLil jewelry will go to support charitable activities that reflect Lillian's passions and love for life.

Rock On

Gaining tons of attention since emerging from an annual retail craft show to a newly opened year-round shop on Providence’s Westminster Street, Craftland features awesome and eclectic arts and crafts by both local and global artistisans—more than 170 in fact. This month, 5% of every purchase at Craftland will be donated to Girls Rock RI, an Ocean State rock camp tailored to helping girls and women empower themselves through the development of musical skills. So while you shop the jewelry, ceramics, clothing and house wares—even stocking stuffersmade from recycled can ornaments and little lumps of coal—you’ll be giving back to the women in your own community. Pictured here: 80-page Providence coptic stitch journal with white, unlined pages, 4 x 5.5" $22.00

Eco-Chic

At Green Envy Eco-Boutique, where you’ll find a whole store full of great finds that leave a gentler carbon footprint behind, there are a number of great gifts that benefit the greater good. When you purchase a Mmofra Trom bracelet ($20), handcrafted with recycled glass beads, you are giving an orphaned African child with AIDS money for his or her health care and education. For your sentimental friends, greeting cards by Sanctuary Spring ($5.50) are handmade with recycled paper and fabric in the Philippines by women who have escaped prostitution. By purchasing a card, buyers are sustaining programs that assist these women in their restoration process while also enabling them to provide food and education for their siblings and children. Finally, when you buy charming jewelry, ornaments, greeting cards, bookmarks, magnets, and more ($3 to $25) from Ian's Bead Company, the brainchild of 10-year-old Ian Cahr, 100% of the proceeds go to animal welfare organizations. Chicago-based Cahr been making crafts and donating the money since he was just 6-years-old, raising more than $21,000 so far.

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