donation Archives - Rave & Review

12+ mostly-free ways to give back and help others in need

This post isn’t sponsored. We just wanted to share 12+ mostly-free ways to give back We got a chance to visit The Compassion Experience when it visited Washington State in Snohomish, and it was a really awesome experience with the kids. The website said it was a way to experience another world without leaving yours … Read more

Gifts that give back this holiday season from World Vision

Do you want to make a difference this Christmas? Give with the help of World Vision and you will know that your contribution is going towards making a difference where it is needed most. You can buy a goat and chickens, medicines, bed nets, or even clean water by making a simple donation in your … Read more

Back to school with Gymboree – Let’s Color Together

You know how all kids go through various stages and it’s easier to connect with them at certain times? About two years ago my sweet girl was going through a stage that left me frazzled by the end of the day. What I realized was that we needed something for just the two of us, and it was going to be even more crucial as she started school full-time. There were three main criteria I needed to address: 1) The activity had to have no rules that I needed to enforce since I was the enforcer the rest of the day. 2) It had to be something that wasn’t extra work for me so I didn’t have to plan, execute, and then deal with clean up. And 3) It had to be something we both enjoyed that allowed us to reconnect so that we could weather this stage we were both going through.

One day it hit me that the answer to reconnecting with my daughter was through art. We both love just about every type of art and we both find it relaxing, so it was the perfect solution for getting us both to enjoy each other’s company and rediscover how much fun we have together. Since that day we’ve worked side by side to draw, paint with water colors, sew, and even build together on our doll house we’re renovating… and it has been amazing for all of us.

A teddy bear that is changing the world: Bears for Humanity

On my 30th birthday I got hit by a drunk driver on my way home from renewing my driver’s license with my two small children. While the driver who hit us sped off, our car bounced around the freeway, sliding across loose gravel, and straight into a guard rail, narrowly missing a 30 foot drop.

Eventually, our car ended up in oncoming traffic where kind passersby helped push our car off to the side while we waited for the emergency responders to check us over and assist us. My husband arrived in just minutes to escort us off the freeway and together we got the car to the state patrol’s office to get the accident paperwork.

We were met by two officers upon our arrival at the office parking lot, each holding a teddy bear for our young children. Even just the sight of them standing there holding those bears brought me to tears, and it was in that moment that I understood that teddy bears sometimes are much more than a simple toy. Sometimes they remind you just how much good there is in the world just when you need it most. Our interaction that night with the troopers took just minutes, but I will never forget their kindness to me and my kids that evening.

Sure, there are 30th birthdays ruined by someone having too much fun drinking and not enough sense to utilize public transportation or taxi services. But, there are also passersby who put their lives in danger to save people they don’t even know, and sometimes there are state patrols who hear of young children involved in a serious car accident and take the time out of their busy day to surprise those kids with teddy bears when they need a little comfort.

Bears for Humanity understands that a teddy bear can make all the difference in the world to a child in difficult circumstances. That’s why when you buy one of their gorgeous bears they will send an identical bear to a child who needs it through a number of reputable charitable organizations that you can select from as you buy.

Celebrating #GivingTuesday with kids

Since my last post was about giving thanks for all the wonderful things in our lives, I thought it fitting to also feature #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. The idea of Giving Tuesday is a simple one: you simply find a cause and find a way to give. Whether it be time, energy, money, supplies, donations, just give whatever you can.

For us, we like to give back numerous times a year, not just this one day every year, but I never turn down a good opportunity to teach the kids about helping our neighbors, our community, and making the world a better place, so Giving Tuesday seemed like the perfect opportunity. And, this time of year there are so many ways you can involve the kids, so in honor of #GivingTuesday, I thought I would share ideas to get kids involved in giving.

Pack for a Purpose with the Sandals Foundation

Oh, packing. Packing is usually my most dreaded part of traveling, especially now that I have young children I need to pack for and must anticipate all that they might possibly need in the length of time we will be away. But, this fall I was able to pack and make a difference when traveling to Beaches Turks & Caicos with Pack for a Purpose and that made packing fun and rewarding.

We need your help to give kids a Childlike Summer

I partnered with The Motherhood and ConAgra Foods to help spread the word about a Hunger Free Summer, but all opinions are my own. I know I’ve said it before, but I love summer. The past few weeks have been a blur of playdates, farmer’s markets, library visits, and playing at our local parks. But, even with all this fun we’re having, I never forget how lucky we are.

Lucky because even though money is always a little tight with only one steady income, we never worry about whether we will go hungry. We have a well-stocked fridge and pantry, a small neighborhood co-op of small urban gardens that can provide anything we couldn’t afford otherwise at the grocery store, and we are able to give what we can to those less fortunate.

All kids deserve to have a Childlike Summer in which they don’t worry where the next meal will come from. If we all do our part and give what we can {whether it’s time, energy, money, food donations, or even simply watching this video below}, we really can make a difference for the children in our communities.

Simply view this video to find out more about child hunger this summer. Or, better yet, share the video so your friends can watch/share/like it as well. For each of these actions, the ConAgra Foods Foundation will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America, up to two million meals*.

World Vision: give back while giving this holiday season {Prosperity Cinnamon Box}

The above display for World Vision was found at Northgate mall, nestled in between clothing and shoe stores. Every time we passed it this season we would stop, take pictures with the goats, and I would talk to the kids about what we can do this holiday season to give back.

We all love to buy something for someone to open for the holidays, even if it seems like the recipient has everything. So, why not give them a gift that will make you both feel good? Something from World Vision is always the perfect present because it truly is more than a present – it’s a way to give back with each gift given.

I’ve talked before about how much I love World Vision for what a worthy cause they support, and how it’s one of my favorite go-to places for those that are impossible to buy for. With an option to do a donation in anyone’s name or to get a small gift with a donation, it’s perfect for bosses, co-workers, relatives, friends, acquaintances, and those that live near or far.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction in Seattle with AT&T

Last week, we had date night. We started the evening with Washington wines and microbrews paired with delicious bites from Seattle’s top chefs, and then we topped off the night with coffee and sweet potato cheesecake.

It was pretty much the perfect evening, and it was for a good cause.

Tyler with always amazing Thierry Rautureau {AKA The Chef In The Hat}

We were guests of AT&T at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, where they were a gold level sponsor. The Signature Chefs Auction brings together prominent members of the community to raise paddles for stronger, healthier babies and proceeds from the event are directed to mission-based programs.

The Strength of 1

Strength can come from surprising places, and for many people, breast cancer is one of them. From long battles by courageous women to inspiring survivors who educate others on the power of prevention and early detection, there are a whole lot of heroes out there fighting for a world without breast cancer. Sometimes it’s as … Read more