Shop For A Cause

Doing and completing my Christmas shopping, I added the concept of Sustainable Development to be carefully considered in buying gifts for my beloved.  I listed down products that I find innovative, a value for money and at the same time from organizations with great sense of social responsibility that gives back to the community and the environment.

Boracay Bamboo Shades

Sunglasses will forever be fashion staple! I chance upon this trendy stall in Boracay that sells Shades made from 100% bamboo wood. Facts about bamboo – 100% biodegradable, sustainable, naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and naturally hypo allergenic; for only 699 php it’s the greenest way to be cool!

National Book Store – Project Aklat

Project Aklat founded on 2005 and have been an annual book drive that aims to raise books for donation to the libraries National Bookstore Foundation, Inc establishes; for as low as 30php you can already buy a book that you can donate to help in youth education.

Photo Credit: fabscoop.com

Books is a brilliant gift to offer making it accessible develops more readers and encourages to love books, “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all” – Jacqueline Kennedy. 

Photo Credit: gedcarpizo.com

McDonalds – #ShowYourStripes

To dream that you are wearing socks signifies warmth and comfort a perfect analogy for Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), builds daycare centers in areas that are in need of a safe place for children to learn and play while their parents are at work.

The Striped Socks is McDonald’s limited-edition socks inspired by the iconic red and white stripes of Ronald McDonald. Buy a pair of McDonald’s striped socks for 100php and all net proceeds will go to Ronald Mc Donald Bahay Bulilit. I bought a pair intended for our kris kringle (something to be inserted) but find it very chic that I ended using it.  

Cotton On – Empowering Youth

Since Cotton On arrived in the Philippines on 2013, I instantly fell in love with it – 100% cotton comfort of tees, youthful graphics and prints, Isla Sola shorts, bags and accessories. Learning further about The Cotton On Foundation – Empowering Youth makes me want to marry it.

The Cotton On Foundation is the Cotton On Group’s philanthropic arm, funding projects in Australia and overseas through a unique partnership with customers and employees. The Foundation partners with communities to provide long term opportunities across education, health, sustainability and infrastructure.

At times when guilt strikes on spending, I just think of the proceeds goes back to Cotton On Foundation to support those most in need, with projects based on four pillars; health, education, sustainability and infrastructure. These pillars are derived from the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. It is as simple as that.

 Banana Peel – #SaveSomeGreenForMe

Photo Credit: Banana Peel Facebook Page

Living in a tropical country you can never flop by giving flip flops! Banana Peel had teamed up with WWF as they launched the Monde Green Collection – flip flops made of 100% rubber, Eco friendly and Non harmful materials from the thong down to the sole. Non-toxic paint is used to produce their signature trendy prints.  

Photo Credit: Banana Peel Facebook Page

The World Wildlife Fund – the leading organization in wildlife conservation and endangered species; WWF also works on climate change, sustainability, habitats, and species like panda and tigers. 

Peter Pan Peanut Butter

Peter Pan Peanut Butter (extra crunch) had long been an effective therapist. Some gain feelings of pleasure, comfort and gratification from eating chocolates, for me the act of eating peanut butter is hedonistic.  For friends seeking pleasure and alleviating pain, Peter Pan Peanut Butter is best gift.

Photo Credit: www.diynatural.com

I recommend Peter Pan Peanut Butter for their Environment and Sustainability Initiatives:

A “Child Hunger End Here” program allows me in simple way to create impact in fight against child hunger. Each jar has the red pushpin and code. Go to ChildHungerEndsHere.com and enter codes. 1 code = 1 meal donated.

In addition, Peter Pan had gone green by reducing carbon footprint, which helps foster cleaner air and cleaner water; redesigned packaging material that utilizes 9 percent to 12 percent lee plastic per ounce.  Organization’s effort enables them to save enough plastic to fill more that 24 garbage trucks with solid waste each year; energy savings could power 253 homes per year; and removing greenhouse gases equal to taking 233 cars off the road each year.