changing diapers changing lives

Today, we're going to get down and dirty and talk about diapers. Yes...diapers. Ew...diapers. I have a ton of new mommy & daddy friends who must by now must be so sick of and yet utterly beholden to the power of these little bomb shields. Can you guys imagine NOT having diapers? Or not having enough? Sadly, many families across the country can not afford diapers, and benefit programs like WIC don't pay for them, either.

To help these families cover their butts (literally), Gifts in Kind has announced a new Changing Diapers Changing Lives campaign that aims to raise and distribute 10 million Seventh Generation diapers for families who are struggling to provide basic needs for their families. Donate $5 to Gifts In Kind International by texting BABY to 52000. With every donation received, Gifts In Kind will be able to purchase, store, and ship diapers to its nonprofit network free of cost.

A quick plug for Seventh Generation - not only are they providing chlorine-free, environmentally friendly diapers for the Changing Diapers Changing Lives campaign, the company's mission is to inspire a more conscious and sustainable world by being an authentic force for positive change. (They are also a partner of one of my previously touted organizations, FITE.) It's a good reason to choose their products when you're out shopping or scheduling a food drop from FreshDirect (my husband, already a fan of Seventh Generation, is going to be so happy to hear me say that).

Also, a quick word about Gifts In Kind International - according to their website, they are the world's leading nonprofit in product philanthropy and one of the largest nonprofits in the United States. Their mission is to bring corporate America together with the nonprofit world to help people in need. There are lots of ways you can support their causes by providing them with products, donate money, volunteer your time, or nominate your favorite charity.

Finally, one last shout out to a cool fellow philanthropist blogger, the Blogunteer, who writes about a diaper bank in the Detroit area. I've got a lot of peeps back home...whattup D-town?! The Detroit Area Diaper Bank, located in Canton, serves babies from low-income households, the elderly, and people with disabilities from all over the Metro Detroit area and is a great little charity that you can support with donations or diapers. 100% of all donated funds goes directly toward purchasing diapers and incontinence supplies.

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st. jude children's research hospital

Okay, this is awesome.  So, you text PIZZA to 90999 and make an instant $5 donation to St. Jude billed directly to your cell phone and  Domino's will automatically match your donation with another $5.

And you don't even have to order a pizza!  Though I can see no earthly reason why you would not order a pizza.   Pizza and philanthropy.  Nirvana.

Okay, and while we're talking about St. Jude, let me tell you a little more about them.  You've all seen the infomercials.  I myself have fallen victim to the mid-afternoon accidental channel surf stop and next thing I know I'm sponsoring a new wing.  But I'm happy to do it.  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.  St. Jude also covers the cost of food, travel and lodging for patients and a family member.

Right now, you can take part in their Thanks and Giving campaign for the holidays.  They have frillions of partners, each with some way to make a donation to St. Jude.  For example, Pottery Barn will make a $5 donation to St. Jude with every $25 gift card purchase through Dec. 12.  Williams Sonoma has a bunch of special products for which 50% of the profits will be donated to St. Jude.  Old Navy will donate 5% of all gift card sales to benefit St. Jude up to $1 million.  Check the partner website or ask when you go shopping to see what kind of donations your favorite stores will make to St. Jude!

They also have a gift book with cutsie little items from which 100% of profits after related expenses goes toward St. Jude.  So, at least some of your money for gifts will go toward a great cause.  And, as always, you can simply make a donation in your name or in honor of someone else.

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