As most of you know, we donate 10% of profits to charity every year. We're proud to say that our donations have grown from $200 in 2010 (our first year business) to over $2000 last year. We know it isn't a huge amount, but every little bit counts. Our hope is that Whispering Willow will continue to grow and that growth will allow us to have a bigger and bigger impact each year.
Our past charities include:
2010 - The Nature Conservancy
2011 - Safe Alliance (formerly United Family Services)
2012 - The Humane Society of Charlotte
All that to say that it's time to make our choice for 2013. Our two options are:
Heifer International - Instead of sending money abroad, Heifer International provides those in need with animals in order to assist them in providing for themselves. The charity started in 1944 with cows sent throughout Europe and has now expanded to provide 30 types of animals including goats, geese, bees, and water buffalo. From their site: "Our animals don't just provide project partners with a reliable source of food, but also a reliable source of income. Extra agricultural products, such as milk from cows or goats, honey from bees or eggs from chickens, can be both shared within the community and sold at market. This new income, coupled with the training in sustainable practices that our partners receive, allows partners to clothe their families, provide them with medical care and send their children to school."
charity: water - It is startling to read the statistics on charity: water's site. Did you know that one in nine people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water? As someone who can simply drink out of our tap, it is disturbing to consider. This charity aims to help those in developing nations with simple solutions. From their site: "We're not offering grand solutions and billion dollar schemes, but instead, simple things that work. Things like freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters. For about $20 a person, we know how to help millions." Please kindly vote in the comments below. Voting deadline is 3/31/13. Have a charity you would like us to consider in future? Email us - we'd love to hear about it. Thanks ever so much!
Update: Voting is complete, and charity:water was chosen as our charity for 2013. Thanks to everyone who voted!