How Are You Supporting International Women’s Day Today?
March 8, 2010 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 2 Comments
While at my in-laws for dinner tonight, I asked: “So, what’s everyone doing to support International Women’s Day (IWD) tomorrow?” My mother-in-law replied: “It’s a real holiday?”
She recently returned from 18 months in Ukraine. While there, she learned about IWD when some locals asked her and my father-in-law what we did in the United States to celebrate.
My mother-in-law had never heard of IWD so she explained that we celebrated Mother’s Day here. Their Ukrainian friends’ response: “But what about the women who aren’t mothers?”
Touche!
While the US hasn’t declared IWD an official national holiday, it has dedicated the entire month of March to Womens’ History Month and the United Nations and many organizations, including prominent companies, put on conferences during this time to further promote and address women’s issues and rights focusing this year’s theme on “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All.” (Click here to read conference summaries and progress/challenges.)
So, why is this important? What does this have to do with me as I sit behind my computer in my little corner of the world and you as you sit behind yours?
I watched this video and marveled at how relentlessly Iranian women are fighting for a chance to enjoy the gender equality freedoms I take for granted. I read this article that stated, “A growing number of countries have legislation that supports sexual and reproductive health and promotes gender equality. Nevertheless, maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, too few women have access to family planning, and violence against women remains a cause for global shame.”
I sit here behind my computer with the opportunity to work and provide for my family and I am haunted by a scene of 12-year-old girls dancing in the night market in Bangkok right out in the open with hardly any clothes on for all to see, for some to take advantage of. Taken from their homes. No mothers to care for them. I couldn’t take it in. I didn’t know what to do. Global shame doesn’t begin to describe the anger and helplessness that I felt in that moment and still feel 8 years later as I write this post. I turned my head. I kept walking. What could I do? The scene has never left my mind. But maybe there is more I can do. Maybe there’s more we all can do to further equality and rights and justice for women everywhere.
I am excited to be partnering with Avon to promote their commitment to help end violence for women world wide in support of IWD.
As I have researched and watched the #iwd hashtag on Twitter, here’s ways to learn more or get involved:
- Check out this site, which has a searchable database of events listed by country and state/city. Is there one in your area? Next year, Utah is going to be on that list!
- Choose an issue that speaks to you, like this one on maternal health perhaps, and look for ways to support the organizations that are dedicated to progressing these causes.
- Check out organizations like Vital Voices and attend one of their celebrations this week.
- Read this article and learn five things you can do to help support IWD.
- Watch the videos below and others like it to be more informed on global issues and how you can help.
- If nothing else, tweet your support for IWD (#iwd) and connect with women globally who share your support. Maybe together we can all make a difference!
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Photo above used with permission from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/george/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0Restaurant Brings Community, Art, and Great Food to College Town
March 7, 2010 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · Leave a Comment
I moved to Provo, Utah nearly 20 years ago to go to college at Brigham Young University. At that time, students were hard pressed to find decent restaurants and had to drive to Salt Lake City if they wanted fine cuisine or culture of any sort. It’s amazing what a difference 20 years can make.
Since I first moved to Provo, culture has sprung up everywhere. It abounds in Utah County with many museums, theatre, and yes! even amazing dining choices. One restaurant in particular has taken it upon itself to offer both cuisine and culture.
On Tuesday, March 9, Communal Restaurant will host its inaugural Dinner Club, bringing an idea to downtown Provo that will celebrate both art and food with a fixed four-course menu of Communal’s critically acclaimed food and an exhibit by renowned Utah artist Brian Kershiznik.
Dinner Club will be a monthly tradition at Communal. The purpose and format of March’s Dinner Club is a first for downtown Provo, not just for the style of dining but for blending a local artist’s work into the evening. Patrons will have an opportunity to meet the artist and all of the paintings on exhibit will be for sale and on display at the restaurant for a month after Dinner Club.
I’m not sure what the March menu includes, but after enjoying a long lunch there with these four fabulous gals and trying nearly everything on the menu, I can assure you it’ll be tasty! If they have soup, make sure to ask for a double bowl. Super YUMMILICIOUS!
March’s Dinner Group price is $42 per person, with wine pairing available for an additional $18. Reservations are available at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. To reserve your seat, call 801-373-8000.
Photo borrowed from the lovely Black Eiffel site. Check out this post for more delicious pictures from Communal.Avon Donates $1.75 Million to End Violence Against Women Worldwide
March 2, 2010 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · Leave a Comment
Many companies, organizations, and brands give back. But the one I am highlighting today is a company I have a particular fondness for—Avon, Inc. I had the pleasure of getting up close and personal with Avon while working on a 2-year project with them a little over 10 years ago. I became so close with one woman in fact that she actually flew out to Utah from Tennessee to throw me my first baby shower. That type of kindness and love was common at all levels in the organization.
Avon’s tagline is: the company for women. While they may dedicate a lot of R&D to making great products, I’ve witnessed firsthand Avon’s passion for helping women succeed in their personal and professional lives as well. This passion starts at the tippy top of the company and oozes out of every Representative you meet. So, learning last week that Avon just announced plans to set up partnerships, secure grants, and donate money to end violence against women is not surprising to me.
Did you know that one in three women worldwide experience violence in their lifetime? And did you know that in the U.S. alone, a woman is assaulted every nine seconds? Around the world, services for victims are often vastly underfunded or unavailable, and in many countries, laws to protect women do not exist or are not enforced.
To help eradicate violence against women and help ensure justice for all women worldwide , Avon:
- Secured a $1.5 million grant to launch the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School. This new center will focus on working with judges, legal professionals, governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve access to justice in an effort to eliminate violence against women and girls.
- Expanded its relationship with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) with a new commitment of $250,000 for the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which will be added to the grant of $1 million awarded in 2008 for the Trust Fund.
- Is donating 100% of the proceeds from these products—the Empowerment necklace, bracelet, and ring and t-shirt. I bought a t-shirt today. It was a small thing, but a simple way in which I could contribute to the cause.
Avon believes that when women are empowered they can make their dreams a beautiful reality.
March 8 is International Women’s Day. What can you do to help empower women and further their rights and justice worldwide?
To learn more and to help, connect with these organizations online: @UNIFEM and Facebook.com/UNIFEM.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.Note: I am participating in a social media campaign with Avon to help end violence for women. While the topics I address and the details I provide in my posts during the campaign are at my sole discretion, I am receiving compensation for the time I put in to writing them.
Build-A-Bear’s Huggable Heroes Program Rewards Giving Children
February 22, 2010 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · Leave a Comment
Brands have great charitable outreach partnerships that make it easy for kids to give. But, fewer of them have programs that reward kids for their own community service efforts. Build-A-Bear does both in spades.
I was so impressed with their community involvement and mission that I took the brand up on their offer to treat my boys to a workshop and got the low down from the manager about their Huggable Heroes contest first hand (nominations due February 26).
I won’t lie to you. I didn’t think Build-A-Bear was for us. One, because I thought my boys were the wrong audience for the store. And two, because somewhere in the back of my mind I was afraid they might like it and I’d have to fork out money on a regular basis to meet their bear-building needs. But I thought again and figured if they could be addicted to WebKinz, why wouldn’t they enjoy building their own bear—or bunny and dog as it turned out! And, to calm my nerves about the addiction, well… I could always say no, right? I am the mom after all. So off we went!
The process was simple.
- Select a “bear.”
- Choose a sound. I loved this part the best, but didn’t realize we could record ourselves until after, which may be all the reason we need for repeating the workshop experience. Your own voice in a bear, or dog, or bunny. What’s not to love about that, right?
- Pump stuffing into your bear for a strong or fluffy result.
- Give your bear a heart. Loveable bears are all the rage. No tin man Build-A-Bears for the Pattee boys!
- Primp and pamper your new BFF at the bath and brush station.
- Dress it. Who knew Chase liked Nascar! The things Build-A-Bear teaches you about your kids.
- Finally, name it. Bunny was “christened” Chocolate before we even arrived at the store and the Nascar racer dog became “James.” I was rooting for something along the lines of Bubba or Joe Dean, but I had no influence.
The last station before leaving was informal and totally for me—a chat with the manager to learn more about the Huggable Heroes program. Here’s what I learned and how you can participate:
- Visit a Build-A-Bear store or click here on the website between now and February 26 to pick up or download a Huggable Heroes nomination form/entry rules and requirements.
- Complete the simple form for a person you know between the ages of 8 and 18 who is making a difference in his or her community.
- Mail the form and required entry items in postmarked no later than Friday, February 26. That’s this Friday, folks!
Is this worth doing? Absolutely! Ten Huggable Heroes will be rewarded with, among other goodies, $10,000, which is divided up into a $7,500 college scholarship and $2,500 for the cause of their choice.
I give Build-A-Bear a million stars, two thumbs up, 9 paws (my favorite number), or a high rank of your choice for their ability to provide the perfect family fun activity while at the same time both offering kids with community involvement opportunities and encouragement and rewards for their service and individual outreach!
Green Guilt. How One Mom Goes Green
February 15, 2010 by TiaHejny · 3 Comments
By Carly Fauth, Chief Mom at thredUP kids
I’d like to think that I’m a good person. I’m a supportive and reliable wife, employee, sister and friend. I try to be a positive role model for my son in every aspect of my life. I even recycle! I always turn the water off while a brush my teeth and I have a reusable water bottle. However, my environmentally friendly steps seem fruitless. Everywhere I turn I feel a sense of eco-inadequacy. I call this The Green Guilt.
Look, I just refuse to use cloth diapers. I cherish my showers too much to shorten them to five minutes. Finally, I’ve tried organic food shopping, but it’s SO expensive!
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be the greenest mom, but this year I’ve resolved to take baby steps towards a greener lifestyle. Here are some easy-as-pie eco-moves I’m planning to make in 2010.
1) Wash my laundry in cold water instead of hot.
2) Collect rainwater outside to water my plants.
3) Completely stop using disposable bags. I already started using Shaw’s reusable tote.
4) Ride my bike more frequently to work and to do errands.
5) Swap before I shop. Aside from working at thredUP kids, I also plan to use the service and swap kids clothes that no longer fit my son, for one’s that will.
6) Pay all my bills online.
7) Plant a garden (this is my favorite one because I get to put it off until Spring…)
Fix leaking faucets.
9) Turn my computer completely off at night and unplug all electronics.
10) Chat with my son about the importance of going green.
Being green is not black and white. These are some simple, non-life changing steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle. The list is not overwhelming and completely do-able which I find motivating. I invite you to join me on my quest to becoming a green mom!
thredUP kids is a place for frugal, busy and green moms to conveniently swap boxes of kids clothes online. Unlike many onerous swap site out there, thredUP does 95% of the work. It’s like Netflix for kids clothes! The site will launch invite-only very soon, and those on “the list” will have a chance to swap their first box of kids clothes for free. Sign-up here to be a part of the exclusive launch: http://bit.ly/bH35mI
Involving Your Children in Helping Feed the 35 Million Hungry Americans
January 26, 2010 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · Leave a Comment
According to the US Department of Agriculture, “At least 35 million Americans aren’t getting enough food each day. Yet about 100 billion pounds of food are wasted in America every year.”
This is an astounding fact. Ask yourself: Are you contributing to the waste or are you helping feed the hungry? And, are your children aware of this fact and involved in helping reduce the number?
Raising giving children is as simple as identifying every day opportunities to give and taking advantage of them together as a family. Feeding the hungry is one such opportunity. But how to begin?
Here’s five simple steps to involving your children in this cause:
- Find a food bank in your area. Visit FoodPantries.org to identify locations.
- Collect non-perishable items you aren’t using from your own pantry and home. (Be sure to check the expiration dates on canned food and baby formula and food.)
- To add an element of fun for your kids, have them decorate a cardboard box to put the food in.
- On the way to the food bank, share with your family the facts of people facing hunger in your area.
- On the way home, ask each child to describe his or her experience, specifically how it made him or her feel to help those in need.
Making the experience meaningful, fun, and emotional will help them create a positive association with giving.
This picture is used with permission. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Teaching Children to Give—Involving Them in Charitable Programs
December 7, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 2 Comments
The single most impactful thing you can do to teach your children to fall in love with giving is to involve them in giving activities, discussing throughout them why you are giving (what the cause is for) and how it makes you and the recipients feel.
Sometimes, identifying volunteer programs that allow young children to participate in can be difficult. Today, I came across Feed It Forward (perfect name, right?). It is a charitable initiative that allows you to send $10 restaurant gift certificates to 30 people each day during the holiday season. And here’s the clencher: It’s free and only requires a few bits of data and the click of your mouse. What’s more is that you can involve your kids by coming up with a list of friends together and sitting and completing the information side by side.
You have 18 days left to take advantage of this giving opportunity. That’s 540 people you can send gift certificates to. Get ready. Get set. Go!
The Details
The Feed It Forward initiative is built upon a single giving Web site, www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward, stocked with a total of three million, $10 Restaurant.com gift certificates totaling $30 million. The site will be live through midnight PST on Dec. 25 and allows individuals to go online to give gift certificates on a first come, first serve basis. Gift givers choose whom to give to and gift recipients then decide where to dine among more than 6,500 participating Restaurant.com restaurants nationwide.
To send free $10 gift certificates, gift givers simply enter their name and email address, as well as information for the people they wish to give to—as many as 30 people each day for the length of the initiative. They can go to www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward every day and share gift certificates with people anywhere in the country, giving out a total value that far exceeds even the most impressive holiday gift giving budget during the healthiest of economic times.
Once a participant selects their chosen recipients, they can share a brief note about why they are giving. Restaurant.com will feature some of these messages of appreciation on the Feed It Forward home page and, if chosen by the individual, will send the giver’s personal message along with the gift certificate. As people join in the celebration of giving and give away gift certificates, a U.S. map displayed on the site will depict the areas of the country where the giving is happening along with keeping track of the amount given in real time.
Feed It Forward 2009 features include:
- Generous “daily give” allowance—Givers can give to up to 30 people per day, with the potential of giving up to $9,000 worth of Restaurant.com gift certificates through the duration of the program.
- Feed It Forward Facebook application—The application allows givers to easily access their friend network and select those they wish to give to. Recipients are sent messages alerting them of their free gift and givers’ status updates will reflect the amount of gift certificates they have given and who has received them.
- Personal message delivery—Beyond sharing their giving story publicly on the giving site, participants can choose to write a separate, private note that will be sent along with the electronic gift certificate, making the surprise of a gift certificate that much more meaningful.
About Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. The company offers savings at more than 13,000 restaurants nationwide with more than 20,000 gift certificate options. Restaurant.com brings people together to relax, converse and enjoy well-prepared and -served meals at affordable prices. To date, Restaurant.com customers have saved more than $100 million through the gift certificate program. Restaurant.com has operated since 1999 and is based in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Teaching Children to Give—Reindeer Candy Canes as Thank You’s
December 2, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 34 Comments
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is my favorite holiday movie. I love it not only for its whimsical characters and witty rhymes, but also for the lessons it teaches in true Dr. Seuss fashion. The one that stands out to me the most is individual choice.
The Grinch ’s choice was clear: He wanted to do everything in his power to have a miserable holiday season and to ruin it for everyone else, including an innocent dog and the unsuspecting Whos in Whoville. But, in spite of all of his efforts, the Whos chose holiday cheer and togetherness over reacting negatively to their stolen Christmas.
When you are out in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, are you a Grinch? Do you focus on the increased traffic, lack of parking places, long lines, or when the person in front of you takes the last toy on the shelf—the only one Tommy really wanted? Or, do you choose holiday cheer? Do you let drivers merge into traffic, turn up the holiday tunes and sing with your children instead of focusing on the frenzied freeways? Do you notice cashiers and servers and postal workers that greet you with a smile? Those that stand in all sorts of weather to collecting donations?
Teaching children to fall in love with giving during the holidays is not only about choosing holiday cheer, it’s about looking for examples of it and showing gratitude for it. A tradition we started last year to do just that was to give out candy cane thank yous to people during the holiday season. Here’s what we did:
- Made a goal for how many candy canes we’d like to pass out and purchased them.
- Placed stickers on the candy canes that said: “Thank you for spreading holiday cheer!”
- Put them in a bag and carried them with us in the car wherever we went.
- Took a few into each place we visited.
- Took turns handing them out to people who served us, people we felt were examples of spreading holiday cheer, people that looked like they could use a pick-me-up, people who were lonely, and more.
- Squealed in delight when we’d get back in the car and talk about our experiences.
- At the end of the day, recapped together as a family the holiday cheer we witnessed, people’s reactions to the thank yous, and how awesome it was to give out the candy canes.
I think the last step is one of the most important in helping children fall in love with giving. The act of giving is necessary, but feeling excited and good about it stays with you forever and not only that, it is contagious!!!
What will you do this year to spread holiday cheer?
Click here to see the candy cane making process!
Teaching Children to Give—Reindeer Cookies as Holiday Neighbor Gifts
November 29, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 5 Comments
When I think of favorite holiday activities, giving is the first one that comes to mind. I love seeing all the Angel Trees around town, collection bins for the Food Bank, boxes accepting winter coat donations, and much more. That so many organizations are centered on helping those in need is uplifting. I appreciate them making it easy for me to play a part in that outreach!
My parents were like these organizations. They provided ample ways for our family to help others while at the same time helping us fall in love with the act of giving. So, as the holiday season gets under way, I want to share a few ways you can teach your children to fall in love with the act of giving as well.
Service and giving can have many different recipients: self, family, friends, pets, neighbors, community, the world, etc. Part 1 of my “Teaching Children to Give” series focuses on those right around you—your neighbors.
Neighbors are a vital part of the community in which you live. They often are the people you see at common places in your life—at the grocery store, at church service, at your kids’ school, at volunteer activities, at community events, and more. Showing appreciation for them and teaching your children the importance of valuing them is not only important, but can be fun!
Baking reindeer cookies is a tradition I started with my two boys several years ago. My mother in law shared the recipe with me and helped us bake our first batch. Now, my family bakes these every Thanksgiving holiday weekend and takes them around to our neighbors to kick off the holiday season with a bang!
Check out this Whrrl story for more pictures and detailed steps on how to make them!
If you join or log in to Whrrl, please comment and share your fun holiday giving traditions too!
Changing Your Community Starts at Home With Secret Service Agents
November 15, 2009 by Marie LeBaron · 1 Comment
When we think of service, we tend to think of giving to others outside of our home. Serving in your own family is sometimes harder than it seems. So our family came up with this fun way to give service to each other, right here at home. We now have our very own “Secret Service Agents”!
My daughter drew a fun picture for her brother, we slipped it in a note paper pouch, then we secretly put it under his bed. When my son goes to sleep, he’ll see the fun pouch, open up the note, and see that his little sister gave him a special picture.
The Secret Service Agent pouch is then passed on to my son to choose who’s going to get a fun note from him. Someone in our family is going to get a fun surprise under their pillow almost every day! It’s been a fun way to serve right here in our home!
**To make a little note pouch, fold a piece of paper up and glue the two sides together. Write some fun words on the top or write, “Your Secret Service Agent”. Draw/write your special note and slip it in the pouch.**
