Shopping for a Cause

My interest in the craft of giving and shopping for a cause has increased even more since I have found a cause that I feel passionate about. It has raised my awareness of all the many ways that crafters are making a difference. If I'm looking for a gift, I prefer to purchase something that I love that supports a cause that I love.

Etsy is an online marketplace that is the place to buy and sell handmade items. Etsy users have banded together to use the site to raise money for a variety of charities. For example, EtsyForCharity is a store devoted to raising money for different charities. This month all proceeds benefit World Vision.

Most of the stores that are using their items for charity use specific tags for the searches. Feel passionate about breast cancer? You might find something like this necklace . Are you like me and support autism related charities? Check out this bracelet . Proceeds from this item go to a charity that funds teachers salaries in Zambia. How about some yarn for HIV awareness? What have you found?

Another great website to check out is called Shop for Charity Now. You can choose from a list of charities and a list of stores (including Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble) and at least 10% of your purchases will be donated to the charity you select.

For me, personally, being able to raise money for Autism Speaks and other autism related charities has given me some peace of mind in knowing that while I may not be able to control the autism, I can control what I do about it. Next time you shop, try shopping for a cause and support the craft of giving.