Baby Stroller Drive

During October, drop off a new or used stroller that's in good operating condition to a Community First Credit Union branch. CFCU will deliver each stroller (along with $20 for each) to The Living Room, a local agency that provides help to at-risk women and their children.

LOCATIONS in Santa Rosa:

Central Santa Rosa
501 College Ave.
(northeast corner of Mendocino & College avenues - just south of the JC)
9a to 5:30p, Monday-Friday; 9a to 1p, Saturday


West Santa Rosa 70A Stony Point Rd.
(just south of Finley Aquatic Center)
9a to 5:30p, Monday-Friday

I came across this brand while doing some online "window shopping". Unfortunately, this brand doesn't carry my width but I think they are really cute and all profits go to a great cause.

An ancient Chinese proverb wisely states, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Thanks to an initiative established by Lance Clark, sixth generation of the family behind the footwear company of the same name, this proverb is being put into action by Soul of Africa to help South African villagers affected by AIDS to help themselves.

Working with communities in the informal settlements around Durban in KwaZulu Natal, where the AIDS infection is highest, Clark and a handful of leading South African business people in the footwear industry have since been sharing their shoemaking expertise to teach local villagers how to make this simple yet comfortable hand sewn product for the Soul of Africa line.

Soul of Africa shoes are made by hand using supple leather and quality materials to create footwear that is flexible, durable, and soft. Incredibly comfortable, Soul of Africa shoes are simple, sleek, and stylish as well!

For every pair of Soul of Africa shoes sold, Clarks will donate all profits to the care and support of South African children orphaned due to AIDS. Additionally, each pair sold helps to provide an ongoing livelihood for the individuals who stitch the shoes. Since 2004, Soul of Africa has raised well over $1,000,000 since its beginnings.

I came across this through a mothers group and I wanted to share. We all have different expectations and goals around celebrations in our families, and I know I personally struggle with materialism and celebrations and how to best balance those. I found PROJECT BIRTHDAY that is a non-profit that does bday parties for homeless kiddos in shelters. Great idea, and they have various ways to help out. 

Sarah H. informed some of us GreenMommies that  this year's Coastal Clean Up day is September 20, 2008.

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer event of its kind. Last year, 378,000 volunteers from 76 countries and 45 states cleared six million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways and recorded every piece of trash collected.

I think she and her family are going to participate and hopefully other GreenMommies may be interested as well. If so you can sign up here and a local coordinator will contact you. 

 Thanks Sarah H. for bringing that to our attention.

I feel a movement coming on...I was inspired by this, and wanted to share.

ROSA LOVES

If you are looking to buy a bike or have an old one you don't use any more or have one that needs a little repair, then here is a great web site for you......

Community Bikes is a volunteer run bike shop that refurbishes used bikes to keep them out of landfills and encourages to people to get on their bikes and out of their cars.

They are looking for volunteers at any skill level, bicycle donations, and people who want to purchase a bike.

 LOCATION:

4009 Sebastopol Rd,
Santa Rosa, Ca.
707 579-5811

HOURS: 

Thursdays 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
and by appointment
 

The kids and I went to the Goodwill today to do a little shopping and I noticed that the employees were wearing T shirts that read, "Goodwill, Not Landfill". I love that. They usually focus their marketing on all of their humanitarian efforts which are wonderful too and include education, training, and job placement programs for people with disabilities. But it seems now they are focusing on the ecological benefits of donating and shopping at thrift stores too.

I still cant believe how often I hear people say they went through their things and threw out everything they didn't use anymore.  I keep hoping they mean they gave it away but I have a feeling many times they REALLY mean that they threw it away. 

While at the checkout line, I found information on the Goodwill's new online store. What a great idea! 

While browsing today on Esty I came across this site.  We have talked recently about giving green gifts and to me this is a great example.  I've been trying to stay away from things Made in China, well this is made by a sweet little girl with Autism.  I hope you'll take a moment to check out her site.