01.23.13
This limited edition bar will be sent as a thank you to supporters of the Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps’ new malaria campaign effort. |
“We are launching the video in connection with a crowdfunding campaign to provide an opportunity for our customers and the public to contribute to the positive life-changing work that fair trade initiatives are fueling in producer communities. Ultimately, we want to raise more awareness and build a movement of conscious consumers dedicated to making all trade fair,” said David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
This mission-driven initiative is part of Dr. Bronner’s commitment as a fifth generation soap-making family to carry on the social and environmental ideals of company founder Emanuel Bronner through integrating social initiatives and environmental stewardship into its business model.
Malaria is spread by a single mosquito bite and causes extensive pain and suffering and prevents people from earning a living. In the district surrounding Asuom, an estimated 40% of the population is infected with malaria each year and a quarter of cases affect children under the age of five. Bed nets offer a simple and cost-effective solution and are known to reduce malaria transmissions by 90% in areas with high net coverage.
Every donation of $10 covers the cost of one bed net for a family in need. All contributors to the Indiegogo.com crowdfunding campaign who donate $10 or more will receive a special bar of soap with a commemorative label that was created as a thank you perk for donations to this effort, according to Lisa Bronner, who runs the Going Green with a Bronner Mom blog on the company website.
Dr. Bronner’s plans to match each dollar raised to generate at least $50,000 toward this initiative.
In other news, before the US election in November, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps made a donation of $100,000 to voter initiatives in Colorado and Washington that would tax and regulate cannabis like alcohol and effectively end prohibition of industrial hemp farming in each state for the first time in more than 50 years. Both measures passed, making the states the first to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Dr. Bronner’s increased financial support of Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 because they have a strong chance of passage that would unlock the potential for industrial hemp to bolster the American economy,” said David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps also made a $250,000 to support Proposition 37, The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act. However, this ballot measure was defeated
More info:www.drbronner.com
From a pool of 51 finalists, public voting has determined the six winning nonprofits that will share $150,000 in funding from Tom’s of Maine’s “50 States of Good” campaign, which supports grassroots projects dedicated to healthy, human and environmental goodness. From serving the homeless and renovating play areas to building sustainable summit trails and providing alternative energy education, all winning organizations demonstrate the heart and determination of community nonprofit organizations to inspire lasting change in their communities.
The grand prize winner, which was awarded $50,000, is in COMMON Community Development, an Omaha, NE nonprofit working to unite and strengthen vulnerable neighborhoods. Funding from Tom’s of Maine will support the development of the Park Avenue Commons, a community center that will provide an array of support services at no cost for low-income, at-risk and special needs community members. The goal is to help prevent homelessness by building community support networks, providing preventative and emergency services, and increasing personal and employment success.
The $20,000 winners included:
- Brown Bag Ministry (Apex, NC), which provides brown bag lunches and hygiene, first aid and personal care items to the homeless and those in need.
- Genoa Central Parent Teacher Organization (Genoa, AK), which will renovate two play areas as part of its Project Playground initiative. The two 30-year-old play areas will include new equipment for students to increase their physical fitness and play, regardless of ability level or special needs.
- Global Awareness Local Action (Wolfeboro, NH), which uses teams of volunteers to help install backyard eco-assets such as garden beds, clotheslines, compost bins, rain barrels and solar hot water systems.
- Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (Golden, CO), which includes The Sustainable Trails program.
- Glacier Institute (Kalispell, MT), The Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, located off the power grid in the beautiful Flathead National Forest, hosts thousands of elementary school children annually.
“We commend all of our winning nonprofits for their tireless work to inspire grassroots goodness and transform their communities,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine.“The spirit of giving back and bringing positive change to local communities is one we share at Tom’s of Maine and we’re excited to see the public rally around local projects.”
More info: www.tomsofmaine.com