Kara Birkenstock

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, many of us will be shopping to find the perfect gift for Mom.  Looking for a unique and meaningful gift used to mean flowers and chocolates.  While these gifts are thoughtful, this year you might consider giving Mom a gift that gives back.  A quick search on the Internet for charitable gifts will bring up a huge assortment of non-profits and organizations to support, with many offering beautiful crafts, jewelry, or other keepsakes as a token of appreciation.  Here are a few that really caught my eye:

1.      Trees for a Change

         Personalized Tree Gift – $35

Trees for a Change is an organization that plants trees as gifts in U.S. National Forests that have been destroyed by wildfire.  With the Personalized Tree Gift, a tree will be planted by the U.S. Forest Service in an area that is desperate for reforestation.  Mom will receive a personalized tree planting certificate, a gift card with your personal message, her name recorded on the Tree Gift Registry, and online access to photos and information where the tree was planted.   

2.      Project Mother’s Day

         “Inner Strength” Necklace – $45

Founded by Solstice Designs, Project Mother’s Day creates hand crafted necklaces to give to children in the care of domestic abuse shelters across the country.  The children in turn give the necklaces as THEIR gift to Mom on Mother’s Day.  Solely funded by donations from friends, clients, and the community, Project Mother’s Day is now in its fifth year.  In 2009, Solstice Designs handcrafted 400 necklaces that were provided to 13 shelters across the country.  $5 from the sale of each piece is donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).  The 18 inch sterling box chain necklace holds a handcrafted trio of silver rings. The inner ring is etched with the word Strength, and gently protected by two delicately hand-textured silver rounds. The “Inner Strength” Necklaces  are shipped wrapped and ready for Mom, with an enclosure card describing the donation.

3.      Give Love Foundation & Satya Jewelry

          Hope Love & Healing Necklace for Haiti – $38

Actress Patricia Arquette (NBC’s Medium) has partnered up with the Give Love Foundation and Satya Jewelry to create the Hope, Love, & Healing Necklace for Haiti.  Designed to raise money for the children and families of Haiti, the founders’ hopes are to rebuild the communities, homes and livelihoods of those displaced in the earthquake.  Turquoise, soothing blue and natural, is the stone of healing. Paired with sterling silver hand-cast charms, the necklace bring hope and love to all that wear it, especially Mom!  The Satya Foundation donates 100% of the proceeds from this necklace to the Give Love Foundation. 

4.      ECPAT-USA

          Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream – $10

          Tassa Tag – $12

ECPAT, which stands for End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children, is an international organization working to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children around the world.  By purchasing their Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream, sold exclusively at The Body Shop, Mom will support the many children suffering across the globe from sex trafficking.  $6 from every purchase of this limited edition hand cream will be donated directly to ECPAT-USA.  They have also created the Tassa Tag, which stands for Travelers Take Action Against Sex Slavery and Trafficking.  These colorful, handmade luggage tags (5 color options) are the perfect way for Mom to support this cause and be a responsible traveler. 

5.      SOS Children’s Villages

          Donations Start at $20

Give Mom the “gift of love” through SOS Children’s Villages, an organization that has been providing family-based care for children without parental care and social services for families at risk. Through their Children’s Villages, Family Strengthening Programs, and other initiatives, SOS impacts the lives of over 1 million people each year.  Purchase a socially conscious donation for as little as $20 for an SOS Mother living in places like India, Haiti, Bangladesh, South Africa, Chile, Mexico, and Gambia.  In exchange for your generous donation, SOS will send a warm, heartfelt card to Mom explaining the gift.  For donations of $150 or more, Mom will receive a scarf by Love Quotes.

Angelina Jolie visited an SOS Village in Haiti in 2009.