Celebrity for a Cause: Coldplay Promotes Fair Trade Practices

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Last June marked another hallmark in the life of one very popular band; Coldplay released their new single, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.  Even without the new hit though, Coldplay members have recently attracted the spotlight in a different respect – for their bold support of Fair Trade, trade that promotes just labor and helps developing countries defeat poverty.

Whether displaying slogans on his piano during a performance or bolstering the cause outside of work, Coldplay’s Chris Martin makes sure to support Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign in a big way.  Not only does Martin sport the “Make Trade Fair” logo at every public appearance, he and his band mates have even been active participants in the process of completing an Oxfam petition.

Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations that aim to alleviate poverty, hunger, and social injustice.  The Make Trade Fair campaign is one of many campaigns the confederation sponsors in an effort to fulfill its ultimate goal of enabling people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives.  And with Coldplay’s support, that vision is one step closer to becoming reality.

To find out how you can get involved, please visit http://tinyurl.com/6lna6p.

To read more about Oxfam and the impact the organizations are making on the world, please visit http://www.oxfamamerica.org/.

City For a Cause: Houston Rodeo Donates Millions to Charity

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

In 1932, seven men met at the Texas State Hotel to plan out what would become the world famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In its 79 years, the Rodeo has donated “$265 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence™, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs” according to their website.

Rodeo Houston is more than just a month of fun for Houstonians, it allows thousands to volunteer and give back to their community. The Rodeo has created over 7,000 jobs, increased regional product and increased the population by more than 16,000. The week starts off with “Go Texan Day,” in which local elementary schools participate in square dancing, thousands of cowboys and their cattle arrive in Houston and an enormous parade is hosted Downtown with the Mayor.

The Rodeo has hosted some of the most famous musical artists in America, including Elvis Presley, George Strait and Charley Pride. The concerts, zoo and massive carnival bring the crowds, but being able to eat some of the best barbeque in the world while giving back to so many people is what keeps Texans coming every year.

There are over 24,000 volunteers for the Houston Rodeo on nearly 100 committees. The average committee member donates almost 70 hours of their time to the Houston Rodeo each year. This year alone the Rodeo set an all-time record of 2,262,834 in attendance. It is easy to see that the event has played an enormous role in helping thousands of people out across America. The Rodeo is a truly one-of-a-kind event that Houstonians wait for every year.

To learn more about the Houston Rodeo or for volunteer opportunities visit www.HoustonRodeo.com.

Women for a Cause: WGIRLS Live and Breathe Their Humanitarian Mission

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Most recently, WGIRLS Inc. stole the media spotlight for its success in London.  The UK chapter hosted the “De-clutter and Give Back” campaign in an effort to supply disadvantaged women and children with everyday items, and they received numerous donations.

But, across the pond, the non-profit organization has made quite the impact as well.  Started by a small group of New York City women, WGIRLS aims to provide underprivileged women and children with the supportive environment necessary to obtain health, happiness, and a successful adult life.

WGIRLS has 12 national chapters and one international chapter in London.  They work globally in times of international crisis, and they strongly believe all women and children (regardless of ethnicity, faith, or financial situation) deserve the cream of the crop when it comes to education, healthcare, and a safe environment.

And who can disagree with that?  What’s more powerful than women helping other women?  The WGIRLS are paving the way, and there’s nothing for them to do but to “look forward…giving back.”

To read more about this wonderful non-profit or to make a donation, please click here.

To join the WGIRLS and their success, please click here.

Athletes Give Back: CVS Caremark Charity Classic

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

To kick off the first official day of summer, thousands attended the 13^th annual CVS Charity golf tournament in Rhode Island this week. Golf enthusiasts were able to enjoy watching their favorite professionals golf while supporting various charities.

Each year the CVS Caremark Charity Classic hosts 20 golf professionals to compete in the tournament, a Skins Game and a Long Drive Competition. Each golfer is paired with a different charity. The Charity Classic benefits non-profit organizations in New England that tend to children and families. The event has proven to be an enormous success, raising over $1.3 million last year alone.

The money has helped support The Autism Project, American Red Cross, Children’s Wishes and Rhode Island Family Shelter, to name a few. This year the winners set a new record for the tournament; Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson scored 118 during the two-day event. The proceeds will be distributed through the Billy Andrade-Brad Faxon Charities for Children.

To buy tickets for next year’s tournament visit http://www.cvscharityclassic.com/.

Fashion Gives Back: Saraphia Tees Have a Philanthropic Fit

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

She made a splash in the fashion industry when her t-shirt label made its debut.  The clothing line brought her much success, and she found a way to further this success after an inspirational trip to Thailand.  Aiming to model the selflessness found on her vacation, Sarah Phelps launched worldpeaceorbust.com in an effort to give back through her brand, Saraphia.

The humanitarian website benefits the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by donating 25% of every “world peace or bust” t-shirt sale to the organization.  These funds help with medical, food, and shelter costs for refugees across the world.

Better yet, the site enables shoppers to get involved.  Not only do girls have the option to buy adorable Saraphia tees with cute logos, they can also buy a “world peace or bust” tee and wear it proudly knowing the proceeds went to an important cause.

Sarah Phelps created a hit brand.  Saraphia came into the fashion industry with a bang, and now it’s making a dent with its charitable footprint.  Just as it says on the worldpeaceorbust website, Sarah is truly making the world a little more beautiful one t-shirt at a time.

To order your “world peace or bust” t-shirt, please visit http://tinyurl.com/3s75ahr.

To shop Saraphia, check out http://www.saraphia.com/catalog.php.

To donate to UNHCR, please visit http://tinyurl.com/mwpezr.

Model For a Cause: Twiggy Speaks Out Against Animal Cruelty

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Twiggy Lawson, born Lesley Hornby, began modeling at age sixteen and quickly became a fashion icon. Many people know her as the world’s first supermodel from the 1960’s. Twiggy is using her fame to fight one store that has taken animal cruelty to the next level.

Fornum & Mason in the UK is famous for selling high-quality groceries, wine and gifts. The store also sells foie gras, a product made from the livers of ducks and geese. The birds livers’ are fattened up by stuffing tubes of food down their throats multiple times a day. The liver then swells to an unnaturally large size and the birds are then killed. It is common for the birds to bleed to death from the puncturing of the neck by the tubes. PETA has undercover footage of the process that is so gruesome it has caused many cities to ban the product all together.

Twiggy is speaking out against Fornum & Mason by campaigning against foie gras. She is begging for the product to be taken off the shelves, despite the store’s refusal to listen to her. Anyone can help save these animals by protesting against the store. 

To join the fight against foie gras or to write a letter to Fornum & Mason visit here.

Celebrities for a Cause: Celebs Unite for The Cancer Talk Campaign

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Celebrities Terrell Owens, Sophia Bush, and Adrian Grenier are among the many taking an active role in LetsFCancer’s campaign, The Cancer Talk.   LetsFCancer is an organization dedicated to making a bold impact with the mantra, “F*** Cancer.”

           

LetsFCancer aims to shift power from the disease to the patient.  Rather than feeling overwhelmed by cancer’s presence, patients instead adopt the ideology that they’re the ones to be feared; for they hold the power and the strength to overcome anything.

           

The Cancer Talk campaign takes this attitude one step further and puts power in the hands of kids.  That’s right, kids from Generation Y.  These 17-35 year olds are the ones who can make the difference by encouraging their parents to get tested and seek early detection.  After all, according to The Cancer Talk website, 90% of cancers are curable if caught in stage one.

           

So, all you so-called kiddos out there join with the masses and talk to your parents.  As a part of Generation Y myself, I think it’s a great idea.  Just as they discussed the birds and the bees with us, it’s our responsibility to discuss early detection with them.  Our voices and our opinions hold more weight than we think; let’s help LetsFCancer alter the power imbalance and talk to our parents today.

           

For discussion ideas, please visit http://cancertalk.letsfcancer.com/.

           

To learn more about LetsFCancer, check out http://www.letsfcancer.com/.