Active Lifestyle

As we all know the holidays are a great time to receive gifts, but they’re an even better time to share the good with others.  Here are our picks for giving back both online and in town.

Online

I Give Twice: We love the newest campaign from Olivia Khaili of Cause Capitalism called I Give Twice.  The campaign encourages you to purchase with a purpose.  Items like Tom’s Shoes, which gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair you purchase or an iPod that supports Product (red) and Aids Research.  If you’ve got an idea of another item that gives twice you can tweet about it with #igivetwice to let others know.  Learn more about the campaign at www.igivetwice.com (They recently featured our Baking For Good tip).

Charity Water: This non-profit brings clean, drinkable water to people in the developing world.  For the holidays, Charity Water is offering “The Little Black Box” a gift that provides one person with clean water for 20 years for only $24.  Learn more at www.charitywater.org

TreePeople Dedication: If you’re looking to contribute to nature, but can’t find the time to get outdoors, consider dedicated a holiday tree through TreePeople.  You can dedicate a tree for $25 and it will be planted in the Los Angeles area during a volunteer day.

Krochet Kids: Krochet Kids helps empower women in Uganda to make a livelihood through crocheting beautifully handmade hats. Krochet Kids just finished off a weeklong campaign to sell 2000 crochet hats for the holidays called “Give the Gift of Love”.  Even though the campaign is technically over you can still support the cause, visit www.krochetkids.org and watch this video from Causecast.org here.

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Locally:

Music For Relief: This locally based organization has a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Los Angeles and works to aid victims of natural disasters and to reduce global warming.  Its current project is working on a green home with the band Linkin Park.  For just $5 you can help contribute to the home (or you can earn points for the house on Social Vibe).  Learn more at www.musicforrelief.org.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank:  Food banks across the country are experiencing unprecedented demands this year, especially this holiday season.  In fact one out of every seven people in Los Angeles County is at risk of hunger and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank needs donations to help feed them.  You can drop off food (local & organic if you possible) at a center or local supermarkets near you or host your own Viral Food Drive online.  Learn more at www.lafightshunger.org.

Midnight Mission: Tonight, Monday December 14^th, the Midnight Mission (based in downtown) is hosting a holiday party and gift drive from 6:30 to 9 pm.  You’ll have to RSVP at 213.624.4106 to attend.    On Christmas day they will be serving a holiday brunch and creating a Santa’s Village as well.  To learn more and volunteer visit www.midnightmission.org

Tags: cause cast, holiday volunteer opportunities in la, holiday volunteerism, I give twice, music for relif, Social Activism, social vibe, TOMS shoes