Give the Gift of Giving

When I think of all the gifts my mother has given me over the years, from horseback riding lessons to first day of school outfits, digital cameras to vases for my new home, the ones that meant the most were not tangible at all. The first gift your mother gives you is a one-way ticket through the birth canal and, from that moment, she never stops giving – advice, hugs, support. Mother’s Day is our opportunity to give back. And the most significant presents carry more than a weighty price tag. This year, give your mom something that will mean a lot to her – a gift that keeps giving.

Presents for Purpose is an organization founded by two women, Cynthia W. Dressel and Alayna Kassan, after each battled Hodgkins Disease, a form of Lymphoma. They met in 1999, when they were both involved in fundraising and volunteering to help give back to the community that supported them when they were in need.
However, conventional forms of fundraising proved less effective than they wanted, so the two women came up with a brilliant idea – they would design and sell trendy, unique items and a portion of their profits would go towards supporting the cause. In 2002, they designed their first line of products – crystal watches. They were a hit and quickly sold out. That same year, Dressel and Kassan donated $20,000 to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, and Presents for Purpose was born.
Now, Presents for Purpose has grown into an organization that works with dozens of charities. You can purchase a wide variety of items and then choose the charity you want your money to benefit. There are gifts for every woman, from jewelry to handbags and watches to clothing. And you’re sure to find a charity that will mean a lot to mom.
The Purpose, Hope, and Charity bracelet is a beautiful, sterling silver charm bracelet with a message your mom will be proud of, and feel good wearing knowing that 25% of the proceeds go to a charity that you selected. The bracelet costs $68 and comes in two sizes, one for adults and one for children.
If your mother is anything like mine, then she has more shoes than she knows what to do with. One creative product offered on the Presents for Purpose web site is a fashionable shoe bag, which can be monogrammed for an additional $10. For those days when she’s planning on hoofing it around the city, she can carry her dancing shoes in this cool shoe bag. It comes in a variety of colors. Before monogramming, this bag costs $26, and again, 25% of the proceeds go to the charity of your choice.
For the mother who’s always doing a million things at once, the compact mirror is a necessity. In between dropping the kids off at soccer practice and heading to work, she’ll need to take a quick look at herself. At Presents for Purpose’s website, you’ll find a lovely selection of compact mirrors with a variety of designs. The peace mirror, which comes in green, black or pink, is decorated with dazzling Swarovski crystals set in enamel.
Spotlight is a program from Presents for Purpose which calls attention to a certain charity. Specific designs are created to “spotlight” the selected charity. For Mother’s Day, New York-based designer Elissa Bloom has designed a line of coin purses with intricate beadwork. The beading features either a pink ribbon for breast cancer or a teal ribbon for ovarian cancer. Ms. Bloom will donate 10% of the proceeds to either the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition or the Ellie Fund, which aids the families of women battling breast cancer.
Some of the other charities you can choose to benefit from your purchase include CancerCare, First Book, First Candle/SIDS Alliance, Grassroots Soccer, Joan’s Legacy, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Strang Cancer Prevention Center, Stay-Bandz, The Creative Coalition, and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.
Mothers are natural givers and they give something so much deeper than material possessions. This Mother’s Day, thank her in a meaningful way. She’ll be proud not only that her gift benefited someone in need, but also that she raised a son or daughter as thoughtful as you.
– Emily J Weitz
Check out www.presentsforpurpose.com to see the complete line of this year’s merchandise and to learn more about the beneficiaries.