Since I began Ordinary Mommy Design over 4 years ago, it has been a huge blessing for me to be able to donate a portion of every sale to those less fortunate than myself. Every year on December 31st I go over my books, calculate 10% of my income, and send that money on its way to someone else. Thanks to my lovely customers in 2012, I was able to buy a sewing machine through World Vision for a woman living in poverty so that she, in turn, could begin her own business to help support her family.
For 2013 I'm switching things up a little. Instead of working through World Vision, I'm going to stay a little closer to home. This year we will be standing with Eric and Jennifer Orth, as Eric battles hodgkins lymphoma. So, as you shop with me throughout this year, remember that you are making a difference for this wonderful family!
It's so nice to be warm in my house, with fresh chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven, and the first of the twinkly lights of the season draped over my chalkboard.
We were so blessed to survive Superstorm Sandy with no damage to our home. The first night we hunkered down in the living room with blankets and pillows; the wind was just too severe to be upstairs with the risk of trees falling on the house. It was nerve-wracking. My dad is out working the storm, and after the hurricane came through there was practically no cell service in a lot of areas, so no one could get in touch with my mom. As the morning went on, it started to get colder and colder, and my husband decided to brave the road conditions to go and bring her to our house. Let me tell you, being able to light the gas stove, and have hot water is a huge blessing during power outages; madly trying to eat through everything in the refrigerator, sipping hot tea while wearing lots of layers, reading by flashlight like a kid in a bed tent.
The kids thought it was great fun to have Nana sleeping over with us for a couple days! It started to get cold in the house really quickly though, so it was like Christmastime had come early when the lights came back on and we were able to run the furnace again! Seeing the pictures and hearing the stories of what others are going through is unbelievable and heartbreaking. Forces of nature are not something to be trifled with. It's frightening to see the lines at the gas stations in our city that have been able to open, and to know that there is gas rationing happening in the city where my husband works.
So back to today. I'm so thankful to be inside my warm house with fresh cookies. For those who are in parts of NYC, Staten Island, and New Jersey though, life is particularly difficult right now. A portion of each and every sale made through my shop is donated to causes like this; I was so blessed to be able to make a donation through World Vision on behalf of my wonderful customers. Alternatively, Jenna of Sweet Fine Day posted a list of local organizations that are providing direct assistance to those in affected areas; see that list in this blog post. I pray you and yours are safe, warm, and well fed.`
I love partnering with my customers to help create a better life for women, children, and families living in poverty around the world. Every time someone purchases an Ordinary Mommy Design piece 10% of the sale is donated toward this cause through World Vision. Every single sale, 365 days a year. I feel that we make a bigger impact when I save up until the end of the year and then choose the direction I want these funds to go in all at once. On December 31, 2011 with the help of my customers, I purchased a bicycle to provide a girl with safer transportation, and procured small business loans for four single mothers. This is always such a thrill for me!
Thanks so much for partnering with me in this way. I can't wait to see the impact we can have at the end of 2012!
It's just about time for me to make my end-of-year donation to World Vision! 10% of each and every sale I make in the shop 365 days a year goes to this organization; they provide all kinds of services and meet tons of needs for those living in poverty around the world. Last year, I chose to make my donation in the form of buying farm animals and fruit trees to give families in Africa and Asia a means to provide income or food for their families. So far this year I've also given money for disaster relief in Japan and Alabama. Farm animals are just one potential gift: World Vision also provides help to sexually exploited girls, offers impoverished women business loans, and digs wells to provide clean water, among other things. I'm excited to peruse my Wold Vision gifts catalog again, and make my final decisions as to where I want my monetary gift to go!
Thanks so much to all of my customers for making this possible!
