museums&MORE Winter 2018

Products with a Purpose, Winter 2018

Company: Ben the Rooster

What they offer: Greeting cards designed with art from kids. Ben the Rooster is a pen pal for kids, and the art is sent by his friends during Ben’s literacy program. Ben sends two postcards each month to his friends at home and in classrooms, and his friends reply with great art and fun notes. The idea is to use the excitement of mail to encourage literacy, creativity, and friendship.

How they give: Fifty percent of profits from sales are donated to Title I schools. These are the most under-resourced schools in our communities. Specifically, the funds are donated in the form of subscriptions to Ben’s Classroom Pen Pal Unit. The unit lasts four months and helps students practice the elements of a friendly letter, engage in conversation, and stretch their artistic muscles.

Website: www.bentherooster.com

Company: Stoneage Arts Global

What they offer: Most items are produced from organic, sustainable, recycled or natural materials that are harvested legally and in an ecologically friendly way. For the past several years, Stoneage Arts has embraced the repurpose of materials like bottle caps, wire, aluminum cans, glass and rubber.

How they give: The company founded The AmmAs Helping Hands Foundation. Created to serve struggling communities of the world, which are supported by our products. With a unique product line of more than 2,000 handmade items, Stoneage Arts Global encompasses an international network of artisans.

Website: www.StoneageArts.com

Company: Sandra Smith

What they offer: Inspirational storage baskets made of linen. They’re great for an office desk or dorm room shelf for easy storage and a motivational pick-me-up. They can also personalize each basket, making them perfect gifts to give. Items are handmade in Queens, New York.

How they give: Sandra Smith partners with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). The company donates a portion of every sale toward ending domestic violence.

Website: www.shopsandrasmith.com

Company: Chavez for Charity

What they offer: The company was launched in 2013 with a colorful collection of high-quality stone and glass beaded bracelets for men, women and children that would serve as the cornerstone of their trademark concept “Colors for Causes.” Each style of bracelet corresponds with a unique cause.

How they give: Twenty-five percent of profits go to Chavez for Charity’s 11 partnering charities. They include Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Best Friends Animal Society, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, The Hunger Project, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), The Malala Fund, Gift for Life, the Erin Brockovich Foundation, Sierra Club Foundation and International Rescue Committee.

Website: www.chavezforcharity.com

Company: Wildlife Artists Inc.

What they offer: Wildlife Artists strive to make the highest quality, most realistic looking plush products. Their hope is to provide children with something endearing to spark their desire to do more for our world.

How they give: The company recently re-launched its Conservation Collection line, with a portion of proceeds going toward conservation efforts. A portion of sales from the HUBAS line, for example, go to the Zambezi Elephant Fund, which is dedicating to fighting the rise of illegal elephant poaching in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe.

Website: www.wildlifeartistsinc.com