This holiday season, why not shop for gifts that truly keep on giving? Read on to find local companies that not only offer unique gifts, but they also give all or a portion of their proceeds to a worthy cause. Giving never felt so good.
See Beautiful
Founded by a former GSU professor who wanted to change the way women and girls defined themselves as beautiful, the See Beautiful movement has grown beyond “self-image” and instead rallies around the everyday, intentional act of finding the beauty in life as it comes at you. And guess what? See Beautiful has really cool products, including funky t-shirts, bracelets, onesies, and organic scarves that return a portion of all proceeds to a non-profit of your choice. Be sure to check out the eco-friendly (and dishwasher safe) Re-Hy engraved glass bottles.
Details: See Beautiful, and See Beautiful Blog
Plywood People
While Plywood People deal in big-picture social ideas driven by creative, innovative people, they also put rubber to the road (or billboards to the sewing machine) by training and hiring refugees in Atlanta to make their incredibly cool Billboard Bags. More than a bag, the Billboard Bag Project even has corporate partners who have gotten behind their mission. And did we mention that the bags are cool, like really, really cool? Best part (other than the fact that you’re helping to create jobs for refugees in Atlanta)? You can wipe them down with a damp cloth, mom. Score.
Details: Plywood People, and Plywood People Blog
Kula Project
This Marietta-based non-profit invests in small-scale farmers in Rwanda by helping them access high-quality seeds and by plugging them in to a fair-market buyer for their crops, even before they’ve planted those seeds. You can support the Kula Project by shopping their products (we especially love their burlap bow ties), or by directly providing Rwandan farmers with coffee trees, banana trees, or farming tools.
Details: Kula Project, and Kula Project on Facebook
Defend Atlanta
Founded by childhood friends who grew up in our fair city, Defend Atlanta makes apparel that touts the city’s diversity, innovation, and uniqueness. And, by purchasing Defend Atlanta’s t-shirts, you’ll also be supporting a local non-profit (organizations change occasionally, but all are rooted in the community). Currently, a portion of the t-shirt sales support the Kindezi School in southwest Atlanta.
Details: Defend Atlanta, and Defend Atlanta on Facebook
HollyBeth Organics
This local entrepreneur began hand-crafting skincare products based on her grandmother’s knowledge of plants in the north Georgia mountains decades ago, and thank goodness (for us), she started producing small batches of her wonder creams, lotions, and potions full-time in Atlanta in 2007. Perfect for mamas with dry skin stemming from a lack of sleep, dehydration, and life in general, a portion of her proceeds go to cancer research and children’s charities.
Details: HollyBeth Organics, and HollyBeth Organics Blog
Did we miss one? What local companies do you love that give back? Share with us in the comments section below!
—Shelley Massey
Photos courtesy of See Beautiful, Kula Project on Facebook, Defend Atlanta, and HollyBeth Organics via Facebook
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