Friday, March 19, 2010

Catwalk for Kids: Fashion, Celebrities + Philanthropy

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the 2nd Annual CATWALK for Kids event in Charleston, SC and meeting Mary Norton, the founder of this benefit event. It was a spectacular event and raised over $200,000 to support MUSC Children's Hospital Pediatric Oncology Center. With more than 300 people, sponsors like Swarovski, Wayne Newton, and celebrities who autographed their distinct handbag and other items (some that auctioned as high as $40,000), wine, champagne, award winning Chef McKee catering, and to-die-for drawing gifts, plus so much more, it was a over the top a faaabulous event!

Catwalk for Kids™ benefit luncheon enters its second year for MUSC Children’s Hospital after a sell out success for its inaugural event last year! This year’s event will be hosted by charity founder Mary Norton, presented by Charleston Fashion Week, with runway show by Carmen Marc Valvo sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, entertainment by Edwin McCain and an extraordinary lunch provided by Oak Steakhouse prepared by celebrity Chef Brett McKee. There will be a raffle of exciting items, topped off by a live auction of one-of-kind handbags made by Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Stephen Colbert, Kristin Stewart, Amanda Peet, Gabrielle Union, Darius Rucker and the amazing children of “Catwalk for Kids™” brings the fashion and entertainment worlds to Children’s Hospitals nationwide. This is done by designers and entertainers doing “hands-on” creative fashion or entertainment projects with the in-hospital patients as well as by holding “Catwalk for Kids™” fundraisers. This enables fashion designers, entertainers, patients and their families to celebrate creativity and collaborate together.

The fundraiser consists of a luncheon with a live fashion show, an entertainment portion, shared stories from patients past and present and topped off with auction items, including some of the creative collaborations made during the “hands-on” hospital visit. Funds are donated to areas of specified need within the hospital.

“Catwalk for Kids™” inaugural year was in 2009 at Charleston Fashion Week, with Wayne Newton and sold out two weeks before the event during the worst economic period since the Great Depression. “Catwalk for Kids™” was founded by red carpet accessories designer, Mary Norton. MUSC Children’s Hospital is the beneficiary of the “Catwalk for Kids™” in Charleston.

You can view last year's benefit event here.

About MUSC Children’s Hospital:

Until fairly recently – 1987, to be exact – children in South Carolina who had serious illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and heart disease often had to leave the state in order to receive proper treatment. For the child, this usually meant long stays far away from the comforts of home and lots of time spent in an unfamiliar, sometimes frightening environment. From the parent’s perspective, it meant putting everything in your life on hold while you did everything you could to make your child well again.

That was before the Medical University built its Children’s Hospital. Today, MUSC Children’s Hospital is the number one children’s hospital in the Southeast and one of the 28 best in the country, based on a recent ranking by Child magazine. No child, rich or poor, is denied the finest care available. Many are facing serious, chronic, congenital or life-threatening conditions yet, thanks to the Children’s Hospital, they are able to hope for a brighter tomorrow. The best part is, they don’t have to leave home to receive this high level of care.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Good Cause to Wear Elizabeth Arden's Anniverary Lipstick


To commenorate 100 years in the beauty industry, Elizabeth Arden is celebrating with the launch of the new Limited Edition Anniversary Lipstick, Red Door Red.

I love when beauty companies create beautiful products that benefit causes. Red Door Red, a universally flattering, sheer red lipstick, packaged in a luxurious gold case reminiscent of the glamour and drama of the 1940s, is meant to represent strength and femininity is also benefiting a good cause. Elizabeth Arden will also donate all of the proceeds from the lipstick to Look Good … Feel Better®. This organization helps to improve the self-image, appearance and quality of life for people undergoing cancer treatments by teaching beauty techniques, which help them to cope with the beauty-related consequences of cancer and boost their self-confidence.

When you purchase the Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Anniversary, Red Door Red Lipstick, you’ll take part in celebrating Elizabeth Arden's 100 years of beauty and you’ll be helping women to look good, feel better and enjoy life.- and that's a beautiful thing!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Brooks Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research

I am a fan of Brooks, even more so as Moving Comfort is on board with them. Brooks has always been charitable minded and have a wonderful giving program called Run B'cause which encourages people to run and get active to promote healthy living.

Just last year Brooks launched their Brooks for Her collection (BFH) to help support the fight against breast cancer. For each BFH piece purchased from March through December of 2009, Brooks donated 6.25% of the suggested retail price to three organizations that research and support those affected by breast cancer: The Young Survival Coalition, Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, earmarked for breast cancer research. Nearly $27,000 was distributed to these three charities - and the campaign continues through 2010!

The BFH program works like this... "Brooks will donate 6.25% of the retail price for each Brooks For Her item sold from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010, to preselected charities that support breast cancer research, awareness, and support. Consumers will vote for which charity they’d like to receive donation."

The BFH 2010 Program begins on March 2nd and runs through December 31st. This is great! No excuses as the program runs for nearly a year giving any loyal Brook customer to be a part of giving back and making a difference to this important cause. Plus, you can run and look pretty in pink at the same time.

(Disclosure: Moving Comfort is a brand of Brooks Running and a client of givingadvice)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Businesses Turn To Cause Campaigns

Cause campaigns are becoming quite popular. In an age of social marketing, buzz marketing, viral marketing and guerilla marketing businesses are turning to cause marketing.




We have seen Pepsi's Refresh Project, L'Oreal's Color of Hope, COVERGIRL's CleanMakeup-CleanWater, Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, Lands End Big Warm-Up,

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Stunning Jewelry with a Compelling Purpose

Sarah’s Hope™ designs jewelry with a compelling purpose in mind. It has a special place for women and the struggle that many of them face when trying to overcome poverty. "There are women all over the world who are driven, talented and determined, who just need some help getting their dreams off the ground."

Sarah Hope creative pieces are dedicated and named after a woman entrepreneur in a developing country who has an entrepreneurial dream. Sarah sets out to contribute 10% of our net profits to fund business MICROLOANS to women entrepreneurs. "In partnership with MEDA, (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), women entrepreneurs receive microloans up to $1,250 dollar to establish and grow thriving businesses. Each of our designs is dedicated to, and named after, a microloan recipient who is moving her life away from poverty and toward prosperity with the support of Sarah's Hope. Sarah’s Hope™ Jewelry was begun to fund small business microloans that start at $50. MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) distributes these loans that are designed to give women living in impoverished situations a fair chance at supporting themselves and their families." (source: SarahHope)

Sarah Hope Jewelry elevates their cause campaign to an individualized and inspirational level, by sharing the story of each woman, naming each selective piece of jewelry with her name, and assisting them through . This is an excellent way to engage customers of Sarah Jewelry into the lives of each women and it is very compelling. It bridges the gap between the 'what' the percentage of profits goes to 'who' it goes to.