Bridgewater Candles Bob Caldwell Jr., owner

Mission: “Bridgewater Candle Co. is committed to sharing warmth and hospitality with the world through its Light a Candle, Feed a Child program. In 2010, Bridgewater partnered with Rice Bowls, a nonprofit with a mission to feed and nurture orphans worldwide.”

How do the products serve the mission? Bridgewater donates a portion of each jar candle sold to Rice Bowls. Every candle sold provides three meals to a hungry child overseas. Through the Light a Candle, Feed a Child program, Bridgewater hopes to raise awareness for the global orphan crisis as well as help to fight hunger of orphaned children around the world.

Plans for the Future: The goal for 2015 is to reach five million meals provided.

How Can Retailers Get More Involved? Angel Rice, owner of Under the Carolina Moon, a Southern-inspired gift boutique located in Easley, South Carolina, was awarded an all-expense paid trip to Haiti led by Bridgewater President Bob Caldwell Jr. She was selected through a nomination process and was awarded the opportunity to go out of thousands of authorized dealers. “There are not enough words for me to express how amazing the trip to Haiti was,” Rice said. “I feel so blessed to have been invited and to see the work the program is doing was truly humbling.”

For more information, visit www.bridgewatercandles.com

Julie McCallum

Julie McCallum is publisher of Gift Shop Magazine. She is formerly the editor-in-chief of the publication, as well as editor of Museums & More, and she has more than 25 years experience in publishing.