Toms Again

I posted about TOMS shoes awhile ago and promptly got a response from TOMS themselves about my blog post! This afternoon I ripped open a package with a documentary about TOMS and the amazing work they've done in Argentina. There were a couple of times when my "ohhhhhh noooo's" brought my parents over to watch the children crowding around the boxes of shoes. At the end of the movie I knew I wanted to get a pair of shoes and, at some point, volunteer. Right now, I need to get a job which will in turn give me money which will also in turn fund a trip to help out. Turns out it takes monies to help people in need. As do rabbit rescues. Anyway, here are some
Things you can do:
Go on a shoe drop either in the US or in Argentina (heyo, I'm really considering doing this so if anyone wants to go in together... hint hint).
Style your Sole party (you can style a pair of TOMS shoes yourself and wear them whenever you feel like it!)

Join the TOMS team (college and high school internships).
Buy a pair!

I also just realized that Olio United, the same place that I bought my beloved rubbery Melissa shoes, carries TOMS! So does a surprising variety of shops in Portland, you can search for a place near you here.

And yes, I was referencing this youtube video in my first TOMS post.

The Holidays...

I've been thinking about this for a while now, I've started to dread the holidays. Having to rush out find something which usually winds up being meaningless because by the time I start shopping, it's two weeks before the day and I'm in a blind panic because I know that I NEED to find something because that's just how it works... right? This year I want to do something different.

In high school we had a representative from Heifer International, a charity that sends animals to countries in need of food and clothing. It's extremely inexpensive (you can buy a whole goat for $120 or a share in a goat for $10... or honey bees for $30). If you stop and think about, really think about what you spend every year on things you're not sure the other person will like or use and then translate that into some good you can be doing other people in the world... I think it makes a big difference.

I've created a registry(http://www.heifer.org/myregistry/hannahmaier)

for Heifer and I might look around for a few more so for now, and these upcoming holidays, I would like you to think about giving to this charity instead of buying me anything, or donate to a charity of your choice. In the end it's more about the people and relationships than it is about the gifts and shopping.