Gratitude & Giving
As I sign off for the holiday, I wanted my last post for a little but to focus on the gratitude I feel for all I have and the ways in which I want to give back to those who are struggling, in pain, scared and hurting. The images I’ve been seeing of these poor children in Aleppo have broken my heart. Scrolling through the news these days has been painful and scary on a general level, but those images of scared small children and babies surrounded by death and destruction absolutely haunt me, especially knowing how safe, healthy and happy my own little baby is. I am so lucky, and recognize so many are not.
So I wanted to share some ways we can all give a little to help those poor children and families suffering right now. As my charity of choice this season, I think it’s important to do all I can to spread the word and encourage people to give in one way or another to those is Aleppo.
I am packing up a baby carrier we didn’t end up using to ship to Carry the Future, a charity that gives baby carriers to refugees making it easier for them to get around with their children. You can donate your gently used carrier very easily here. Or for $100, you can donate a Baby Bed Box to safely sleep a newborn and that also includes diapers, a carrier, mosquito net and toiletries. I just did this in two minutes. So easy.
Other charities that have been vetted and are in need are UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and this charity set up by Glennon Doyle Melton of Momastery. All are supplying much needed care and aid and very well regarded operationally and financially. I hope you will consider contributing in any small (or big) way you can. In a world full of uncertainty, we never know when we, in turn, may be the ones who need help so lets all be a little extra generous in our giving this holiday season.
And as a little bonus, Lisa Todd offered to donate 15% of all purchases made through the blog to the charity of my choice, which is UNICEF. You can shop her yummy cashmere here and check my Instagram later today for an exciting giveaway. :) It’s a nice way to give and get this season.
I wish all of you a healthy, safe, joyous holiday and will see you back here on December 28th. Again, my gratitude to all of you who keep reading this blog and supporting what I do is not quantifiable! My amazement will never cease!
Love,
Erin
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Thanks for sharing. I am going to donate a baby bed right now, I hadn’t seen that before. Hope you had a great holiday!
Thanks for sharing great inspiring us on so many levels. awesome
This was a great post on ways to give back. Thank you for the info. I will go see what I can give!
There cannot be the great carrier way than this and really you are a brave women.
My favorite post this year, Erin!! (and that’s saying a lot!!! )
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Erin. Thank you for caring about those in need and being just a lovely human being. I’ve donated 100 dollars for a baby box to Carry The Future. We mommas need to stick together! Happiest of holidays…
The White Helmets are a wee bit better funded today – thank you for posting!
LOVE THIS! Thank you, Erin!
Appreciate this post about giving! Wish we could have a better world!
Oh Erin, your heart is in the right place, but I’ve researched charities and found only 10% of the donations to unicef actually makes it to the needy? You are right it’s the season for giving back. Merry Christmas.
To add to Chelsey’s comment there is a really interesting TED talk on this that really changed how I feel about the types of Charities and how much is used for overhead. I really urge everyone to watch it!
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong
That’s been debunked (via Snopes), they’re doing a great job – it’s 90% that goes to helping children.
Here’s a source: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4617
Thank you for this post. So many design and lifestyle blogs tend to be frivolous…especially in light of all the awful things happening in our world. Yes, it is lovely to look at beautiful homes, blue and white vases, floral arrangements etc. etc. etc. But the real world is not always that pretty. Any small bit each of us can do makes a difference and I appreciate it that you made a point of stressing that and offering ways to help. Something important to think about during the Christmas season.
Yes! Just donated-thank you for bringing this organization to my attention.
Merry Christmas!
Great post, Erin. Thanks for inspiring us on so many levels. Happy Holidays!
Erin,
Hands down, one of my favorite posts of the year. This time of year our minds are filled with our wants, or what the perfect gift would be for our friends & family. It doesn’t take long to look around & see that someone elses NEED, far outweighs any want we could ever have.
As my Mom always said “whenever you are having a tough day, or feeling sad, do something kind for someone else, it will make you feel better every time.” She was right! Thank you for the links to these amazing organizations, you have inspired many today!!
Oh wow! Making a donation was so easy and felt so good! Thanks ! One of the perks that has come with your success is a larger megaphone than most of us have. Good for you!
God bless and protect the relief workers who are risking it all to get these supplies into these dangerous places!
Thank you for posting this, I am always looking for a LEGIT cause to donate to. Having a 6 month son myself, I second you that my heart breaks every time I see this. Just donated a baby bed due to your recommendation. Merry Christmas to you, Andrew and Henry!
Thank you Erin for inspiring all of us to open our hearts. You are an amazing human being. Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday.
Didn’t think that I could possibly love you more, Erin, but you made it happen.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you so much for letting us know about this wonderful charity. I clicked, donated and shared with my friends.
Thanks for the ideas Erin! Amazon has the Infantino Swift Classic Carrier on sale for $8.90 each so I just purchased 3 (max it would allow me to purchase) and had them sent to Carry the Future! Here’s the link to Amazon if anyone else is interested https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003I867US?tag=slicinc-20&ascsubtag=f51272a4c7ae11e6ad309ecfb6385ee20INT&th=1.
When purchasing anything from Amazon, type smile.amazon.com into your browser bar! Its an official site made by Amazon. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.
It’s an easy way to give back without changing your habits or spending!
Such a great and timely post. The video footage coming out of Aleppo is nothing short of terrifying. I can’t–and don’t want–to imagine this happening to my precious little girl. But it obviously is happening to precious little boys and girls (and men and women) and it’s important not to stick our heads in the sand. The comments on this post are great, too. <3
Merry Christmas, Erin! I hope it's wonderful with Henry. The first year he'll be IN to it (well, the unwrapping, at least!).
You are such a dear and sweet young woman. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely little family. All the best in 2017.
<3 So lovely, thanks for sharing! Feeling very thankful for my friends and family, and also a bit embarrassed by how much we all have. Donating left and right! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this essential reminder among all the high-end gift guides. I am donating in each family member’s name to UNICEF–can there be a more important gift that we can give? Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you so much for highlighting ways to give back to others in need. Aleppo is so scary, and big, and complicated and so many of us can feel helpless when reading about it. I know that when you focus in on something like this, you’re not earning revenue from the post- it’s truly a sacrifice. Thank you!!!
Thank you for posting this and reminding me to donate (to http://www.whitehelmets.org who are most likely in this foto)! You are so good to share your gratitude and joy and encourage others to contribute during this global humanitarian crisis.
In lieu of Christmas presents this year, our family donated to UNICEF. They have “inspired gifts” that you can give. We “gave” each of our family members a gift (therapeutic milk/food, water filtration kits, mosquito nets, etc). You can find them all here: https://inspiredgifts.unicefusa.org/
It absolutely kills me seeing images of children and families struggling. Looking at them makes me feel angry but helpless; by donating, I feel like we’ve at least done something to contribute. I hope that others choose to do the same this year.
Happy holidays to you and yours.
This is such a great post. I needed this reminder today. Thank you – I’m donating now.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and a new year filled with peace and happiness.
I started a fundraiser for Aleppo via UNICEF as well. I just could not sit there and do nothing for those poor people, and particularly the children. You rock Erin! Thanks for the additional tips! PS – I will be sure to donate our baby carrier as well.
I LOVE THIS! Seeing all the hate in our country this year, I’ve been trying to counteract what I can by showing that some people do care. In addition to donating to international aid organizations, I found a local refugee resettlement program in my area and have been donating new and gently used household items to refugee families. I just yesterday sent holiday cards to every local refugee family with small amount grocery gift cards. I love seeing other people take a stand for what they believe in. You’re such a positive inspiration in so many ways.
Erin this is lovely. As a Syrian-American super fan of your blog, I’m so grateful. Merry Christmas to you and your adorable family!
what a good post. merry christmas, erin and family!
xo, brittany
pretty new exercise gear for the new year on my blog today!
http://www.notablob.com
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this, Erin.
Baby bed purchase! Thank you for reminding me to count my blessings -two beautiful boys- thus holiday season. I hope you enjoy the holiday with Henry!
Thank you so much for posting this – I think a lot of us just need a little direction and a reminder to help those in need. Baby bed purchased! Wishing you and your family a great holiday
Love that your last post before Christmas is all about giving with an open heart.