Friends of Finn: Shoes with a Mission

It isn't too early to start thinking about espadrilles. Many people are headed for warm spring-break destinations and summer really will be here before we know it although it is snowing outside as I write this.  

I received a very thoughtful gift of Soludos espadrilles.  Not only are these very well made and comfortable shoes, this particular pattern benefits "Friends of Finn".  

Who is Finn and why would I want to be his friend you may ask?  Finn is a dog belonging to  Amanda Hearst (yes, that Hearst family).  Amanda purchased Finn as a puppy from a pet store and most pet stores acquire their puppies from puppy mills.  Since then she has become aware of the inhumane manner that puppies and their "parents" are treated in puppy mills.  Friends of Finn is a committee founded by Hearst, who has gathered her friends and joined with the Humane Society to educate people about the abuse in puppy mills and this .  Click here to view a video of a puppy mill raid.

Soludos supports the efforts of Friends of Finn by donating a portion of the sales this pattern of their espadrilles to the cause.  Look carefully at the pattern.  Do you see dog bones?

I love my Friends of Finn, Soludos espadrilles and can't wait for a warm day to wear them outside.  You can buy your own pair by clicking here.

If I Was Going Back To School

I always eagerly anticipated back to school shopping.  I would pick out a new lunch box (I was a nerd) and new school shoes (a budding fashionista)  If I was going back to school now, this is how I would like to stock my tote. (I don't like backpacks)

If I Was Going Back To School by spiralstyle 

Cole Haan shopper handbag / Tech accessory / kate spade new york 'becca' pencil case / paper / Rhodia Webnotebook - A5 - Orange / Pentel Fine Point Color Pen Set, 36 Assorted Colors, 36/Set

Any of these shoes would be comfortable and make me happy.

School Shoes by spiralstyle 

Tod's strappy shoes, $300 / Donald J Pliner wedge heels / Ivanka Trump shoes / Wingtip shoes

Help a child going back to school

It costs between $50 and $70 to fill a backpack with supplies for a typical 4th grader.  This is difficult for many families.
If you aren't going back to school but would like to help a student who is, you can donate to the Volunteers of America Operation Backpack.
Click here to be taken to the website.  

Cleaning for a Reason

My cousin, Cindy, alerted me to this great service available to women currently undergoing chemotherapy.  This organization will arrange for FREE Housecleaning 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.  To a arrange for the service, the patient must have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.  Cleaning for a Reason will contact a participating maid service in her zip code and arrange for the service.  You can check out the foundation and it's services here.  What a wonderful resource for women going through a difficult time.

Have you ever heard of this service or known anyone who has benefited by it?  I'd love to know.  Please pass this along to anyone who may be able to use the assistance.

Haiti Orphanage Update

Last week I posted a blog about Haiti and mentioned  an orphanage.

A reader notified me with an update on the children.  Here is a portion of the update.
You can click here to read more about the orphanage.

Global Rescue

Posted by Dorie on January 24, 2010

With thanks to Dial Dunkin, medics from Global Rescue examined all of the children, the employees of the orphanage and some other neighbors.  They found everyone to be in fairly good condition and treated some abrasions and minor injuries.  They left Father Bien-aime with basic medical supplies.

...the children do have food and water, and most importantly, they have Father Bien-aime.

Happy to hear some good news from Haiti.  They'll be needing help for a long time.

Haiti Help

Dear Readers, I do not normally post on the weekend but Haiti is on all our minds.

I'm watching the news as I write this and I hear mostly sad stories but a few with hope also.

One special reader of Spiral Style asked that I post a blog and mention a know Haitian organization.

(don't these sweet faces just break your heart, knowing they don't have a roof over their head tonight?)

Father Jean Bien-aime founded the House of the Children of the Lack in 1997 when women began to bring him their children because they were too poor to care for them themselves. Since then his orphanage has become home to twenty-three girls and four boys. He has done a truly remarkable job providing them with food, a loving and safe environment, and an education

The children survived the earthquake, but their building is gone.

The next few days and weeks will be an enormous struggle for Fr. Bien-aime to keep the children safe and alive. Wish for Haiti is ready to work to rebuild the orphanage and his vision.

There need was great before but desperate now.

Click here to see how to donate to the orphanage.

Other organizations (just a few of the many) can be accessed by clicking on the names below.

American Red Cross

Doctors Without Borders

World Vision

UNICEF

Thank you and have a great weekend.

Knit Gifts

Now that Halloween is past, I feel it is safe to mention that Christmas is just around the corner! 53 days

There is still plenty of time to consider knitting a gift. Who wouldn't love to receive a hand-knitted scarf in a gorgeous color and made of a comfy, soft yarn.

Knitting is fun and relaxing and a great thing to do with your hands while watching TV, commuting or watching your kids soccer game. If you are new to knitting, there are books and videos, blogs and websites to get you started. Craft stores offer knitting classes and often churches or libraries host knitting groups.

Choose a simple project, such as a scarf. Select large needles, chunky yarn and a simple pattern for immediate gratification. A scarf doesn't have to "fit" either!

Add a bit of fringe to the edges of a scarf for a more finished look. Cut strands of yarn about 8-10 inches long. Fold in half and then pull the strands halfway through the edge of the scarf with a crochet hook.

Pull the cut edge of the yarn through the loop and pull taught. When the entire edge is finished, Cut the fringe so that it is even and the length you desire.

There are many blogs devoted to knitting. Click here for a sample.

This is a blog devoted to knitting for charity.

Get started NOW on a great holiday project or gift. Have fun!

FreeRice: The Game That Feeds

I am adding the button, FreeRice.com to the left of my posts. When you click on the FreeRice button you will be taken to FreeRice.com. where you can play games and "win" rice to feed the hungry. (you can click on the button in this post to try now) For each right answer, 10 grains of rice will be donated to the UN World Food Program. 10 grains doesn't seem like much but remember, thousands of people are playing at the same time. Together we all make a difference. Since October 2007, FreeRice has generated enough rice to feed millions of people.

Be sure to check out the subjects of the games. Vocabulary is the traditional game but I enjoy the art game since I sat through many art history classes. The nerd in me likes the challenge of trying to remember the periodic table in the chemistry game. I am really challenged by the geography games. Have fun!

About FreeRice

FreeRice is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Program. Our partner is the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide education to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

This is made possible by the generosity of the sponsors who advertise on this site.

Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your education can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.

Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. Thank you.