12 Days of Giving: Day 11

On the 12th day of giving, my blog brings to you..... Fair Trade Sports

For the men and boys in my life... these would be perfect! Or you know, girls like soccer too... I just don't have any to gift these too!

From their website:

Fair Trade Sports, Inc is the first sports equipment company in North America to launch a full line of Eco + Fair Trade Certified sports balls, ensuring fair wages and healthy working conditions for our adult workers.

We have both an online retail store and volume discounts, as well as the ability to make custom ball designs for your organization. Be sure to also check out our product certifications.

We are committed to donate all profits after taxes to children’s charities, both domestic and international. Sound familiar? It’s a similar idea to the one behind the Newman’s Own brand you see in the grocery store.

We expect to reach profitability pretty darn soon. Until then, we donate $1000 annually to these charities, which benefit at-risk children worldwide.

A purchase from Fair Trade Sports ensures a worker is earning a livable wage for their work (no sweat shops or child labor used here!)

Children are never to young to learn about helping others and saving the environment and Fair Trade Sports combines both of these.

I'm pretty sure my nephew Ethan would look even more awesome if he was dribbling the orange soccer ball down the field!

How did I forget?

I'm not sure how I forgot to mention this! Last Wednesday we received some fabulous news. Like jump up and down, do the happy dance, news!

Let me digress for a second. We are so blessed that Matt works for an employer with good insurance. Gabriel's allotted therapy visits doubled from his allotted visits in Ohio. Which is awesome. However, in Ohio, Gabe did have fabulous secondary insurance provided by the state of Ohio that covered all of his extra visits and many other things. Gabe does not have that here in Texas and we're finding it very difficult to find secondary insurance her for Gabe. We don't qualify for most; financially, ethnically or disability wise. And while we will be appealing one of the denials, Gabe needs his therapy regardless of coverage but with PT twice a week, OT once a week and speech starting early next year; Gabe's appointment allotments would be gone quickly.

And now here comes the awesome news! As I kept coming up with zero results, Matt mentioned to his boss what was going on. She made a few calls and last Wednesday, Matt called with the great news. Gabe's file has been marked and he has as many therapy appointments for 2012 as needed.

Talk about an answered prayer!

Gabe was pretty excited too!

12 Days of Giving: Day 10

On the tenth day of giving, my blog brings to you..... Punjammies!

Punjammies are created from sari fabric and made in India in after care facilities by women who have been rescued, released or escaped from a life of force prostitution. Each story is as different as the women who stand for them, but the one thing they have in common is the need to rebuild her life. And that is where Punjammies steps in.

From their website:

Every Punjammie™ purchase creates
A fair trade wage
Deposit into a savings account
Financial support for holistic care
Capacity building for more women to enter the after-care center

Every Punjammies™ tells the story of a girl who was once voiceless. You can be a part of

re-building lives shattered by modern day slavery.

Aren't they the cutest?

For more information about the organization behind the Punjammies visit their website; International Princess Project.

Wear Punjammies. Wear hope.

How did I forget?