Warning: I’m going to get on my soapbox a little…

There is no question that charitable donations have been and will continue to be impacted by our suffering economy. According to “Newsweek” magazine, “philanthropy is tethered directly to the health of the overall economy…” and “if the past is any guide, it’s likely to be a lean year for nonprofits.” The article goes on to say that even the Salvation Army’s donations of clothing and furniture have dropped by more than 20%. So, not only are we not able to donate as in the past, but, with all the talk of “shopping your own closet” to save money, we are also holding onto our belongings. This is obviously not what any of us want to hear. We all want the cure for cancer and diabetes or the solution to animal cruelty and world hunger.

So, what does this mean for ITo’s effort? It means that while you may not be able to write those larger checks right now for charity, you can still do your part in $5 increments and wear a fashionable eco friendly bracelet that shows you care. If you think about it, ITo is truly the perfect model for all of us who want to make a difference, but don’t have as much to go around after we pay our own expenses, like groceries and rent.

For our campaign to succeed, though, we need it to snowball to tens of thousands, then millions of people, each buying these inexpensive bracelets, each donating $5 with every bracelet they buy and each telling everyone they know about ITo. Together, we can really make a difference and create something amazing!

Posted by Carrie Pollare