To Give or Not to Give?
………that is the question.
Fall……… a time of harvest,
a time to give thanks, a time to remember and a time of change. Change in
weather, change in wardrobe, change in Politics!!!! And this year, a
change in world economics.
The environment is in need
of our attention along with the plight of people all over the world. These
times are certainly challenging and this has stirred a desire in me to give
something back. I am thankful for my lifestyle, my health, my children’s
independence and freedom to live their lives as they choose. I feel quite
fortunate, I have a job/lifestyle that I love, family I can count on, great
friends and I still have my sense of humour. Maybe we need to be shaken
up once in awhile to appreciate what we do have and perhaps, consider what we
have to give others.
So, I have spent this past
while investigating charitable possibilities. This is not to say that I have
not been charitable in the past, like most, I have donated to an assortment of
charities in varied ways both personally and through Kettleby Herb Farms.
…United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Institute for the Blind,
Community Garden Programs, etc., but in these cases I have not initiated
the donation, I have only responded to a request. This is something different
to me…No, I am not in a position to write a big cheque…..I want to find
something to which I can give a meaningful contribution in terms of time and
commitment.
The search for my right
match has lead me to an assortment of worthwhile causes-everything from
Granting Wishes for Terminally Ill Children and Building Affordable Housing to
Clean Water Programs in underdeveloped countries and organizations providing
the basics to impoverished children.
Last weekend, with the
radio tuned to CBC, I was diligently researching charities on the internet, and
as coincidence would have it……on came a segment exploring ‘Our Relationship
with Giving’. It examined the different perspectives of giving to global
issues as opposed to local causes, as well as the different ways to be
charitable, from anonymous cash donations to corporate sponsorships and fundraising.
One interviewed guest even related fundraising
to dating! The
program delved into the cultural differences in the definition of charity and
another ‘expert’ even ventured to discuss the actual percentage of income one
should donate. I concluded from all this, that giving comes in a variety
of ways, from money and goods to time and skills. It is truly a personal
decision based on circumstance, resources, understanding, interests and
beliefs.
Since I have really been
missing my dogs, my first thought was an ‘Animal Charity’, but that actually
sounded a bit more selfish than selfless, (still think I might donate some time
to our local animal shelter)…… Ok, let me think about what I have to offer, we
have already eliminated the cash thing, but I do believe we all have something
to contribute.
I do have a business to
run so I probably can’t go traveling around the world picking up land mines or
building schools …..as appealing as that traveling thing would be…. I do have a
fairly flexible schedule so I can certainly offer a few hours a week……. I
can drive, however, not real confident in bad weather or big city traffic…..my
cooking skills are….well… challenged…I do have a fair amount of ‘dating’
experience so perhaps some fundraising would work….but gosh I hate that
outright asking for money thing……I am relatively skilled in computer etiquette
and do have basic business skills….my herb knowledge is notable and I also have
maturity on my side……well, at least chronologically, and then there is that
sense of humour which has been known to bring a smile to some.
Not sure what all this
will add up to, but I am hoping to offer what I can, to a cause I can
appreciate and in my own small way give something back…….
No time like the present
to get started and just putting these thoughts on paper has given me a couple
of ideas!
The first thing I am going
to do is put together a number of our sampler
skin care gift packs and drop them off at a local Women’s Shelter….I will check with them to make
sure I have enough for everyone.
As well, and this is where
I am going to need your help, but I am going to make it very appealing ….
From now until Christmas
our new ‘Fab Four’ gift
pack (the perfect gift for the all the ‘cooks’ on your list!) will be specially priced at $35.00
(regularly $38.00)-see already a deal! To entice you even more, I will
also waive our standard $4.00 handling
fee on all orders that include this gift pack ….And finally to ‘close’ the
deal… I will donate $5.00 from
each sale of this gift pack to the ‘Sleeping
Children Around the World’ Charity. I had not heard of this
organization before. It was founded in 1970 by Murray Dryden, the late father
of hockey legends Ken and Dave. Because of a legacy left by Murray, which
covers all the administrative costs, and volunteers who pay their own
travelling expenses to personally distribute the ‘BedKits’, 100% of donated funds are used to buy these
‘BedKits’ for children in undeveloped or underdeveloped countries around the
world. 2009 will see the 1 millionth ‘BedKit’ distributed. The contents
of these kits vary depending on the country but they generally include a
mattress, pillow, comforter, sheets, towel, school uniform, school supplies;
mosquito net etc. Each kit costs $35.00- I will top up any difference in the
total collected to make up complete ‘Bedkit’ donations. An
acknowledgement of your contribution will be included in each ‘Fab Four’ gift
bag.
I will let you know how we
did!
For more information on this organization please visit: ww.scaw.org
To give or not to give?……
I think the only question is Where and How?
The ‘FAB FOUR’
HERB INFUSED OILS WITH ATTITUDE!
READY TO GIVE WITH GIFT BAG, TISSUE & RIBBON. CULINARY GUIDE
AND PRODUCT INFORMATION INCLUDED!
So what’s happening at Kettleby Herb Farms?
·
Well, it
looks like the ‘summer that wasn’t’ is over and winter is just around the
corner. Didn’t really get a good chance to take advantage of my ‘enviro’ lawn
that is supposed to be drought tolerant and slow growing-trust me, not a week
has gone by that I haven’t had to cut it…but it is nice to look out and see
green instead of the burnt up brown from last summer. The gardens faired quite well though they did require quite a bit
of thinning due to the lush foliage growth.
·
Big News!!!
As of August, we have a distributor for our Herb Oils….you won’t even
recognize them…jazzy new labels and all!
They look so awesome that they were even showcased on Canada AM and Breakfast TV in October
during a segment by the Grocery Federation of Canada regarding ‘new trends’ in
food products, focused on ‘buying local’. RossPartners is the company
distributing them and Harry Ross, the owner, is working very hard to get them
to a store near you! They are currently
available at selected locations across Ontario with distribution in Quebec
underway. Check out our web site: www.kettlebyherbfarms.com for the
list of locations where they are currently available and I have also posted
pictures to ‘show off’ their new look! If
you can’t find a store near you, please contact us with your location and if
possible, a suitable store nearby and we will do our best to accommodate. Yes, I am doing a lot of bottling!!!
·
Make sure to
check out our Web Site: www.kettlebyherbfarms.com
for a great selection of Gift Packs for the upcoming holiday season. The ‘Fab Four’ is a collection of our ever
popular four herb infused oils, same great oils with a jazzy new look, perfect
for all the gourmets on your list! We have also put together some very
reasonably prices sampler packs perfect for co-workers, teachers, stocking
stuffers etc! We are always happy to
put together a gift assortment of your choice and we can ship it directly for
you too!
·
As we enter
our 15th year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you
for your enthusiasm and continued support through all our ups and downs!
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday
season!
Sue