For the outdoorsy friend who could use a little light…
…and likes to light up the lives of others, Luci Light is a lightweight, waterproof and completely solar light that’s perfect for camping and traveling with sustainable style. Every Luci light weighs 4.4 ounces or less and is fully collapsible, so it goes where you go.
More importantly, they’re on a mission to help deliver clean solar light to areas all over the world without access to electricity, so it’s a gift that gives back. They bring light to areas in the world without access to electricity, so kids can do their homework after dark, business can stay open later, and health clinics can stay open without having to rely on toxic and expensive kerosene.
Based in Chelsea, the company worked closely with people to help rebuild on the Lower East Side after Hurricane Sandy.
If you’re more of an indoor girl, bring it into the tub with you—it’s totally safe, and waterproof—or use them to have a fun “camping trip” in the living room with your beau, or your kiddos.
For the active friend who’s actively passionate about empowerment….
JUJA Active Mission Tanks: Courage and Self Love help women who have overcome adversity find peace of mind while they find their new beginnings. These tanks fund a yoga program for survivors of domestic and gender violence with the downtown based non-profit organization Sanctuary For Families.
“Sanctuary supports women leaving abusive situations and helps empower them to support themselves and their families away from those situations. Empowering women is the essence of our brand and our social mission and so Sanctuary’s work resonates with us,” said Jen Russo, Founder of JUJA.
For the friend who’s naughty and nice…
….and cares about both the environment and women’s rights, we’ve got you covered.
Sustain Natural is the first brand of non-toxic and all natural sexual wellness products, including condoms, lubricant and post play wipes, marketed to women. Through their 10%4Women program, Sustain donates 10% of their profits to organizations that provide reproductive health and family planning services to low income women, like Planned Parenthood. This year, for Cyber Monday, Sustain donated 100% of their online sales to Planned Parenthood–honoring their commitment to women’s health and reproductive rights.
Contained within a cute pouch that says “unzip me” can be lavender scented lubricant or…well, see for yourself.
Sustain’s founder works out of the Financial District, and the goods can be picked up at the Health & Harmony (470 Hudson St.), American Two Shot (135 Grand St.), and at Whole Foods (Bowery and Tribeca).
For the mom with a big heart…
West Village-based Giggle at has a strong give-back mission.
For every set of these Hape 30th Anniversary Blocks purchased, a set is donated to a child in need in Afghanistan, Syria, Nepal, China, Zimbabwe. One block in the set has a code for consumers to trace where in the world a child has received a new toys
For every FEED Liberty of London Diaper Bag you buy, a mother and child will be supplied with 1 micronutrients for one year. Micronutrient deficiency can negatively impact the mental development and learning ability of children and weaken their resistance to infection, so the powder that FEED provides can be used in-home to help boost children’s vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.
And this Kinderfeets Bamboo Balance Bike is made of sustainable, eco-friendly bamboo that supports developing country economies through its production. Bonus: Kinderfeets will plant a tree for every model sold.
For the visionary…..
Article One Eyewear donates a portion of every sale to Helen Keller International. Their optical and sunglasses frames can be found at several boutiques downtown, including Petite Optique and Anthony Aiden Optometry.
Recently, the Flint Collection was launched with 100% of the proceeds going to support the children affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Each frame is made with only the finest Mazzucchelli acetate by a family-owned factory in Northern Italy, and the company was founded with the goal of raising awareness and funding for vitamin A supplementation, as 1 million children die or go blind from this deficiency every year.
Proceeds from every Article One sale contribute to the Helen Keller International, to help the distribution of vitamin A supplements worldwide.
For the Spiritualist…
As if you actually needed an excuse to stock up on more ALEX AND ANI bangles, their charitable mission provides just one more. CHARITY BY DESIGN was created in February of 2011 to spread the ALEX AND ANI ideal of sharing positive energy worldwide. This collection and division ignites passion for the wellbeing of our planet, our communities, and our individual paths. Total Donations Given Back from CHARITY BY DESIGN since 2011 totals more than $37 Million.
At their West Houston street location, you can pick up the Snowman Charm Bangle to benefit Toys For Tots, the Candy Cane Charm Bangle benefiting Give Kids The World Village, a Gingerbread Man Charm Bangle to help fund Blessings In A Backpack, or the Bright Future Charm Bangle in support of UNICEF.
For the woman who entertains….
Madeline Weinrib’s hand-embroidered tea towels are created through a collaboration between Madeline and Zardozi, an organization that helps women in Afghanistan find jobs. Under some of the most challenging circumstances for women in the world, the nonprofit has developed innovative ways to enable extremely poor women to become entrepreneurs.
“Through my travels I am always meeting people that are helping artisans. I love to collaborate with them,” says Madeline.
The towels have both a functional and decorative use to them, and can kept in places such as the guest bathroom or kitchen, or to set a small table.
