Shopping for Good: Uplifting Moms on Mother’s Day

Fifty ladies and a few great men met on April 24th for our pre-mother’s day celebration/boutique shopping event in New York City. Colorful tapestries, bags, ornaments and other goods were on display among a background of city lights and sunset on the East river. While our guests shopped, conversed, and enjoyed a glass of wine, they were serenaded by the voices of a pair of soulful singers. 

While this may sound like a common event in New York City, the purpose was quite special; everyone who came that night contributed to various causes that benefit women. Every bag, necklace, and bead elephant on sale was either created by or for a woman in a developing nation, through the help of organizations like 31Bits, Nomi Network, Heavenly Treasures, Chamuchic, Chikumbuso, Fair Trade Winds, Same Sky, and Hot Sauce 4 Good. These organizations train women to produce these products, run businesses, and uplift their families. In all, our guests contributed approximately $4,000 to these causes, bringing home gifts that will make mom smile while extending that same joy to other moms around the world.

In addition to their generosity with the various vendors, guests also contributed to World Vision’s Women’s Entrepreneurial and Gender Equality Project in Bolivia. This project provides entrepreneurship training for women, as well as biblically-based education for men on supporting women at home and in business. At The Bolivia Project table, guests could sponsor various objects women use for their craft, ranging from wool for $25 to a sewing machine for $1,000. We are very happy to report that we exceeded our fundraising goal for the night, raising $5,000 specifically for this project. We extend our deepest thanks to our guests for their generous support of these causes. 

I encourage everyone reading who is interested in these issues to check out the vendors and Bolivia Project pages, where you can learn specific information about each cause and contribute directly. If you are a woman with a vision of a better world for all, please sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook. We are always on the lookout for women with talents and heart, and would love to have you at our upcoming events.