Maximize Your Resources for a Good Cause: SOLD!!!

Between the economy and natural disasters of late, the need to dig a little deeper and help thy neighbor is increasing. We are no longer pillar communities looking out for our own. We realize that we are all connected, and we need to support one another not only because what happens next door can effect our sandbox, but because it is the right thing to do.

Monetary donations are always the #1 goal, however, organizations realize that some of us need to be more creative in our attempts. Kai Expressions Jewelry has taken this opportunity to give what we know best - we speak in gems. Fundraisers are popping up in folds, and we have found much success in donating to auctions to do our part in uplifting a worthy cause.

Our first donation began in 2005 to the Hildebrand Family Self Help Center's Weaving Dreams Gala in Cambridge, MA. As a new company we were very pleased to learn one of our handcrafted earrings went for $65 towards this great organization that creates transitional housing.

Last year we donated a Genuine Garnet Set to the Shady Hill School Defying Gravity Gala & Auction: 2010. The silent auction benefited the scholarship fund and commitment to economic diversity at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, MA. (An incredible school that encourages creativity and diversity, and also my alma mater). Valued at $65, our piece raised a whopping $160 landing Kai Expressions in the top 5 items with the highest percentage over value!!

 

Women Empowered is another great local organization, dedicated to empowering women through social networking, health awareness and community volunteerism. Kai Expressions Jewelry was able to raise over $40 at last year's inaugural fundraising cocktail reception.

This year Kai Expressions Jewelry made a new connection with Crown Jewel Club, a Los Angeles based organization that empowers at-risk girls with basic etiquette and social skills essential to building self-esteem and self-confidence for academic achievement and overall success in life. Our three strand Genuine Freshwater Pearls raised $100 towards CJC's essential programming.

We have also donated jewelry to the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals Whitney M. Young After Party: 2010 supporting the LAULYP and its initiative to empower quality of life within our community through service, professional development, social consciousness and political awareness. For more information on our philanthropic program visit our GIVING BACK website.

What's next? Kai Expressions Jewelry will be donating a piece to raise funds for the 100 Black Men of Long Beach at their 3rd Annual Benefit Awards Dinner & Gala on April 23, 2011.

We look forward to finding new ways to be able to give back to our neighboring communities, and encourage other entities to think of ways that they can also contribute in whatever way they can. Individuals can also help too. Donate a gift certificate, offer to bake a cake, create a gift basket, offer a service. There are numerous items that can be donated, and you just may be surprised at the impact you can make...

Will You Be Mine?

This past Valentine's Day marked a special day. The commercial holiday can bring a range of indifference, joy, or even depression to those feeling their world doesn't match the diamonds and roses that riddle TV. Kai Expressions Jewelry partnered with the non-profit Women Empowered, to give back the Downtown Women's Center and combat those ill feelings. DWC is a phenomenal institution in downtown Los Angeles that "provides permanent supportive housing and a safe and healthy community fostering dignity, respect, and personal stability, and advocates ending homelessness for women." In a nutshell, it lends a hand, a heart, and a smile to many women that need extra support to get by.

We thought of ways that we could celebrate Valentine's Day to represent love and empowerment and create a window where daily stresses were shelved and the true spirit of the day could be honored. Valentine's Day to me has never been about the Hallmark and chocolates. It's has been an annual tradition to bring an extra spark to those who may not have the conventional forms of expressing love in their lives.  It's the child's handmade card with extra gobs of glitter, it's the unexpected treat left on Grandma's porch.  This year it was time & dedication extended to a room full of women we had never met before.

Kai Expressions was pleased to lead a workshop teaching the ladies how to make their own earrings.  An assortment of beads and tools and treats filled the room along with a sing-a-long of romantic tunes (just to humor Cupid). Additionally, Women Empowered offered manicures and 10-min massages on the outdoor patio so the ladies could be spruced up for their big day. It truly was an honor to bring so many smiles to a sometimes stressful time of year, and bond together as women, regardless of our situations.

A few of the women were making gifts so they could have something to give to their daughters for Valentine's Day.  One made matching pairs for her 25 year old and 12 year old daughters so they could be "twins."  Some had beading experience and took advantage of the space to explore their craft.  Others never knew they had a creative bone in their body and surprised themselves with a new found hobby.  All had a great, uplifting afternoon, exemplified by the cheers we were greeted with as we departed.

It was a heart warming day and Kai Expressions was very happy to be a part of such a self-less day that set a tone of love and friendship.  The very best Valentine of all...

Day of the Child 2010: A Day to Let Your Hair Down And Appreciate A Smiling Face

This was my first opportunity to attend Children Uniting Nations' 12th annual Day of the Child.  The Los Angeles based non-profit is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk and  foster youth through positive mentoring and academic advocacy.  The goal of the day is to quite simply bring joy to a group of children that need a little extra light shining in their lives...

Dozens of buses arrived filled with deserving children ranging from young to teenage, all equally excited to participate in a day designed truly for them.  The one requirement: let go and have some fun!  Each child was matched with a mentor for the day that was dedicated to give them much needed one-on-one attention for the entire afternoon.  Dive down a gigantic slide, lose your lunch on the spinning sensation, get your face painted, jump on the ferris wheel -- whatever the kids wanted, the sky was the limit!

This year's event was hosted at the Star Eco Station, where the kids were also able to see rescued animals that also need some extra love - such as aligators, reptiles and parrots..

A sea of over 1,000 mentors and volunteers gave their time - some new comers, some attending for over a decade, and I tell you the adults were just as inspired as some of the kids.  This one quote best captures the emotion for the day: “My mentee said, "I'm glad i have you as a mentor this year! I'm having so much fun" Then when we had to say our good-byes, he looked in his backpack, took out an airplane and said, "Here. This is a souvenir for you to remember me." =') I will NEVER forget this day!!”  - Mentor at Day of the Child

I second that sentiment.  I witnessed so many beautiful children that were able to bond with their assigned mentee for the day - within hours.  I saw tears at the buses as each parted ways. The image I see most?  Smiles.  Face painted smiles, cotton candy sticky smiles of sheer joy, smiles of appreciation, smiles of 'this-is-my-day-and-I'm-absolutely lovin it!'  And you know, a lot of those smiles were from the "bigger" kids!

Thank you to Children Uniting Nations' and all its supporters for an amazing experience.  For at least one day, I learned to just let me hair down and devote myself to helping someone else have a little fun.  It was an up lifting experience that I will hold on to for quite some time.  It was even worth getting a little green in the face on the rides to make my mentee happy -- and THAT's what it's all about!

Connecting with Kids

This past weekend I embarked on a new volunteer opportunity - and fell in love.  With reading.  To kids.  The organization is called just that, Reading to Kids, where volunteers meet once a month on a Saturday morning at various Mid-City schools in Los Angeles.  Readers are divided among groups of children from kindergarten through fifth grade, and they are absolutely adorable.  With a partner, volunteers read a pre-selected book that is read the same day at all seven locations.  After the story is finished, an arts and crafts project follows inspired by the story.

A big fan of the little ones, I was matched with a handful of kindergartners and we read the old classic, "There's a Nightmare In My Closet." It was so refreshing to see the excitement in their eyes as you engaged with each one, "what do you think is going to happen," or "what do you think you would do?"  Each child, no matter how shy, was able to participate and connect in a way that I had not expected.  The purity, the genuine interest, the natural rush of what was going to happen... I think just being there with them and watching them get into the day gave me more satisfaction than they got.  And that's what it's all about, right?

Being excited about creating excitement is every (good) educator's motto.  I have an immense amount of respect for all teachers and administrators that dedicate their lives on a daily basis to planting the seeds of imagination and cultivating our youth.  I admire the volunteers maybe even more so that continue to give of their time only to be paid with the tingle of knowing they made an impact, no matter how small, no matter how long it may take to manifest. 

If you like spending time with children and are located in Los Angeles, I highly recommend you look into this organization.  If you are in another city, explore what options are available to interact directly with kids.  I realize these days time is a precious commodity, but I can guarantee it will be worth it. For a little less sleep that day, or in place of a couple of watching a couple of tv shows, you will walk away with a feeling of accomplishment and knowing that you are helping to shape a generation of kids that need your attention, encouragement and vibrant energy.  It just may be contagious...

Giving from the heart...

In trying times, one is often bombarded with various organizations that need donations, and deservedly so.  Unemployment continues to keep revenues at a stalemate, natural disasters paralyze already suffering communities.  Fundraisers are at an all time high, as with celebrities outreaching for text-to-donate for their foundation.  I often wish I could just be like Donald Trump and donate 1000's at a whim to every needy cause that crosses my path, and I look forward to that day when business is booming and we can all dig a little deeper and help each other as 'good samaritans' were intended.

However, I know that day is not here yet.  And I know that as much as we would like to donate giving is becoming more and more difficult for millions.  So, what can the person give who just doesn't have enough to spare?

Your heart.  I spent the afternoon yesterday with a group of whole-hearted women who did just  that,  spreading inspiration and joy to children all over the world.  I attend my first event with Women Empowered where we rolled up our sleeves and created dozens of greetings for Cards for Kids.  "Cards for Kids creates handmade and painted cards for children facing poverty, homelessness, or difficult circumstances: the kids are affiliated with organizations worldwide. The countries that the cards are sent to include Guatemala, the Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Eastern Europe (Ukraine), and the United States. The cards and messages inside brighten the children's day and bring smiles to their faces."

It was truly an uplifting experience for all involved.  We turned on the tunes, busted out the construction paper and glitter and put Martha Stewart herself to shame.  The bonding experience bridged like-minded women on the move from all walks of life focused on the mission of sending a ray of hope to someone who may have never received a pat on the back or words of encouragement. 

The day was truly a reminder that even the smallest gift of kindness - your words - can make a difference in your life and the lives of those within your reach.  Programs like Cards for Kids increases that reach with the realization that you can motivate anyone around the world.  The only thing it requires is for you to show up and care.

Kai Expressions looks forward to working with local organizations such as Women Empowered and is making preparations for our partnership with the Downtown Women's Center.  We currently donate a portion of all sales, replicated from a similar program in Boston that amounted to $800 donated to Rosie's Place.  Stay tuned, and we invite you to find your own niche to get involved...