Call of the Wild

so when the temp gets super high and you have "park"ed yourselves out, chill out inside in front of the computer with your kids and check out NOAH WILD.

"Noah Wild is a movement dedicated to the idea that kids can truly make a difference by saving animals & the places they live."

noah is an animated young boy who loves animals. the site offers info (a hippo's lips are 2 feet wide) and links to other animal-centric sites. it has video, cartoons and merch. the products they sell give money back to animal loving non profits and the buyer (your child) gets to chose the cause.

here is a link: noahwild.com

the lesson: supporting animals is an easy way for kids to feel the power of helping others.

*** added bonus: you get a break from pushing them on the swings and can sit down for this family activity.

Whistleblower

i was really moved by the FALLING WHISTLES website. it's movie and mission are so powerful. help bring light to the DRC and the young boys who are forced to go to war before they can even hold up a weapon.

purchase a whistle for $30 and know that you are helping to fund a movement to start the conversation for change in the congo.

here is a link to "falling whistles"

the lesson: an interesting dialogue to start with your kids is how LUCKY we are to have been born in a place of freedom. pure luck. how can we help others who have not been as lucky?

***added bonus: you needed help training your dog AND your kids, this whistle may actually come in handy.

Acme Library - An Awesome Book

OMG this is the greatest book of all time! dallas clayton, dad, artist and adorable hipster has written and illustrated this insanely inspiring book for ALL AGES, dream big or go home being the gist of it. he is also a superhero since now, just because you buy one, he will be giving a book to a child who would otherwise not be able to purchase one - we are all familiar with buy one, give one. i am so excited about this!!! it is AWESOME.

run, don't walk your mouse to click onto: veryawesomeworld.com

Supplies Surprise

i know it feels really early for this, but just a little something to keep in mind.

when you start buying school supplies, throw in a few extra folders and pencils to donate.

the school supply drive 101 sponsored by "do something" (a great service leaning site for teenagers) asks you to drop off school supplies at any local STAPLES. they will be distributed to children living in need so that they can more easily attend school in the fall.

here's the link for "do something"

the lesson: it's hard not to take the basics for granted. even school for some kids is a real struggle.

***added bonus: beat the rush and get supplies while you have top choice of trapper keepers (i always hated the name "trapper keeper", just thought i'd share).

BULLSEYE!

it often feels like i can go weeks, even months, without seeing the big picture. living in a myopic world of my family and the "to-do list", i forget about all the help needed in the world. AND to add insult to injury, i know i'm not alone when i fondly reference those regular, almost mindless, trips to target where very full shopping carts (sometimes two) of god only knows what are de riguer.

here we can solve both of those problems: make meaningful purchases at target AND help those who need it.

the TARGET HOUSE is a home like no other. it is affiliated with the st. jude's children's research hospital and accommodates thousands of families NOT on vacation. they have made a wish list of items that you can easily buy on target.com to help these children feel more comfortable during their treatments.

www.target.com/targethouse and scroll to the bottom to find "wish list"

although you still might need to go to target for toilet paper (and 5 dozen more random items), at least now you can cross off help others from your "to-do list" this week.

Earth Day - Movie Magic

earth day is right around the corner (it's april 22) and the first item on our list is to take the kids to see the new disney EARTH movie. here is the BEST part... when you purchase a ticket during opening week, disney will plant a tree in the brazilian atlantic rain forest (considered to be the most endangered rain forest since only 7% of it remains).

here is a link to get all the deets

the lesson: having not yet seen the movie, i can only hope that it will give our kids an amazing overview of so many of the wonders and creatures we don't see on a regular basis. this will help them to appreciate it more.

***added bonus: popcorn with m&m's and some red vines all to help this beautiful planet of ours.

Acme Birthdays - sock hop!!

here's an idea for a birthday party that will shake things up, put on a SOCK HOP for your child and their friends. 

disco, 50's or pop - whatever tunes rock your house will set the theme for the dance party.

invite the guests, in lieu of gifts, to bring new pairs of socks for children living in poverty. ask guests to wear crazy socks (i know it's not the most modern idea, but you can make it your own) and dance the day away.

need more ideas? how about a cake shaped like a sock? toe rings for party favors, pedicures on site for the moms, use xmas stocking templates to make brightly colored socks for hanging decorations or a matching game where kids have to find their mate.

to find recipients, please check:

operation school bell

kids in need

or your local shelter, temple or church

the lesson: it's not always all about them, even on their birthdays. 

***added bonus: you try dancing for 2 hours and staying awake! a nap is in their near future.

Acme Holiday - Valentine's Day

isn't it the cutest thing when your kids come home from school with a paper sack filled with valentines from their classmates? mine love to spread them all over the table to read and re-read them.

this year, the save the children organization has given us a meaningful alternative to the box of "scooby doo" cards (no offense, velma). save the children has made a box of 28 cards, all with great artwork from classic children's books; Olivia, Hugo Cabret, Piggie and Elephant to name a few. purchase this box for $25 (ok, a bit more than the scooby cards, but it's FOR A CAUSE!) and the proceeds will go towards the programs they support; literacy, medical assistance, and general aid inside the rural U.S.

order cards by february 4th to make sure you have them for V day.

here's the link for save the children 

the lesson: it isn't always just about us. i think. i hope.

***added bonus: not getting sucked into the "earth garbage" cycle, you know, buying super balls and little plastic toys to add to the envelopes, the ones that will be played with for 45 seconds and then get added to the landfills of the world for thousands of years to come.

Acme Birthdays - change the present

i have come to realize that "birthday party season" is not a season, but rather a euphemism for the over-whelmed to describe what is, in fact, the entire school year.

here is a website to help. CHANGING THE PRESENT is a great place to browse with your kids to pick out meaningful gifts for their friends.

buy flowers for a playground ($5), books for kids in need ($15), feed horses ($12) or buy toys for children needing aid in recovering ($20).

click here to "change the present"

the lesson: every chance to give is a chance to help.

***added bonus: not having to make that trip to the toy store, which inevitably winds up with you bringing home more stuff that your kids didn't need.

ACME world gift guide

not done yet??? help the world wherever you'd like:

since the acme sharing company is all about sharing, giving and DOING as a family, please note that i am only giving you these "just send money" lists for the holidays. 

global giving

find a project by country and topic and find those who need a little help for as low as $10.

alternative gifts

send money for food, water or medicine around the world.

habitat for humanity

be a part of giving the gift of a home (without having to be oprah). starting at $10.

malaria no more

every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria! that is the most heart-breaking statistic. help protect them with bed nets, $10.

changing the present

browse for a cause that speaks to you; global human rights, disaster relief or microfinance.

i had to stop somewhere, but there are countless amazing organizations that can use your help. there are a few ways to incorporate your kids into the donation process:

 

1.) ask them what they feel strongly about, then surf the web.

2.) ask if they would like to contribute with money they have received.

3.) or perhaps they would like to give to a cause in lieu of a gift for themselves.

4.) youthgive and markmakers are places where you can give your kids an account and they can find the cause, a great idea for grandparents living out of town.

ACME Animal Gift Guide

still more shopping to do?  help animals.

wwf

not the wrestling federation, the world wildlife fund. adopt animals and help save endangered species. the polar bears are a popular gift.

gorilla fund

help the beautiful mountain gorillas in africa. see above photo and insert "Awww".

oxfam and heifer

both get animals to families in need. animals bring in alternate sources of income. *helping people and animals, bonus points.

lange foundation

save the life of a cat or dog with $75.

the gentle barn

saving horses and cows while teaching at risk youth about kindness and responsibility. *helping people and animals, more bonus points.

ACME Green Gift Guide

more shopping to do? help stop global warming.

adopt an acre

choose where in the world you would like to nurture nature.

green dimes

stop junk mail and thousands of trees from the touch of a chainsaw.

terrapass

for about the price of a tank of gas, you can offset the carbon emissions from your car for a year. next best thing to getting a hybrid.

plant trees

great gift for the person who has everything. little kids can get excited by this idea.

Buy One, Give Back One

here are a few gift ideas for giving to 1.) those who want and then giving to 2.) those who need. true, you most likely already know about these products, but just in case:

at TOMS SHOES when you buy a pair of shoes (that are super cute, btw) for children or adults, another pair will be sent to a child in need. between $34 to $48.

www.tomsshoes.com

the gift of light. BOGO solar powered flashlights at $39.00 gives one to you and sends one to the destination of your choice (developing country, military, etc.).

www.bogolight.com

and at a higher price point, ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD is the coolest organization. they are bringing computers to children in the third world while you get one too. $399.

www.laptop.org

***added bonus: last minute online shopping and helping the world all in a few keystrokes without even getting off your butt. no mall parking to deal with, no guilt that you only spent on your kids who didn't really need new stuff. win/win.

A Dog's Life

this week i lost my dog of almost 12 years. it is nothing short of devastating. it has been an interesting (mostly hard) milestone for my 7 year old.

even children growing up without pets understand the love and happiness any animal can bring. 

i came across THE LANGE FOUNDATION which is an organization that can rescue a dog or cat from a city run animal shelter (which is eventually the end  for them). for a mere $75 you can give the gift of life. it's a great present for an animal lover and the lange foundation will send you (or the recipient, if this is a gift) a photo and short story of the animal you saved.

here's a link 

another great way for kids to help animals, which is a lot more active than sending a check, is to raid the linen closet. all animal hospitals are in constant need of towels and blankets. you know you have some that you will never use, get your kids to gather them up, wash and fold them and deliver them to your local vet/ clinic.

the lesson: nothing new, but helping those who can't help themselves is pretty significant, not to mention rewarding for all ages.

This Shirt...

true, true, this isn't a family activity, project or craft. i normally shy away from shopping as an act of teaching gratitude, however i LOVE this...

"this shirt saved a life" is the real deal. tiny revolutionary and africa aid foundation has produced this yummy soft t-shirt and will donate $20 from the purchase price of each one ($38.00) to the children in ghana. this money allows them to have one large and nutritious meal every day for a year.

as you may have noticed, the acme sharing company focuses on ways we can help in our own communities and it is important for kids to connect locally. this clearly isn't one of those, but at the end of the day, help is needed everywhere, don't cha think?

here's where to get one

***added bonus: perhaps the pride our kids will feel while sporting this will spark a desire to do more?