Valentine’s Day is all about the love and we sure do love great PhilGoods™… so when we come across a great blog that combines the two we’d be remiss not to bring it to you! (The fact that it mentions the Cause Shoppe didn’t hurt either.)

“The day of commercially induced amorous passion is nearly upon us. In addition to living a day of randiness and long-gazes, I’d like to suggest that we live a day of compassion. I happen to love Valentine’s Day, but I get an internal twitch from writing a post that encourages more consumption. He loves me, he loves me not. I buy, I buy not. But if I do buy, I buy something that has a social or environmental benefit…” 

Read more from Olivia Khalili on CauseCapitalism.com and check out her Valentine’s Day shopping list!

Following is an excerpt from NPR’s article “Selfish Giving: Does it Count if You Get in Return?” by Tovia Smith:

“It’s been taught to generations that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” But how blessed is it when you give in order to receive?

This time of year, charity is everywhere: Starbucks is helping to fight AIDS in Africa. Macy’s is giving to the Make A Wish Foundation. And Toys “R” Us is giving to Toys For Tots. Clearly, ’tis the season for giving — but it’s also clear that there is many a reason for giving.

“Companies engaged in social issues have gained tremendous benefits,” says Carol Cone, the chairwoman and founder of Cone Inc. who is considered by many to be the mother of cause marketing. “It’s absolutely magic.” 

Read the full story on NPR

The Joyful Heart Foundation, founded by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, has launched the inagural issue of Reunion.

The Joyful Heart Foundation’s mission is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and chlid abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. Each issue of Reunion will focus on a message of healing. It will feature a survivor’s path to joy and aim to engage readers in three ways that mirror our mission: helping survivors and practitioners heal from trauma with thoughtful self-care; educating our supporters and partners about issues important to our cause; and empowering the wider community with ways to work together to help end the cycle of violence and abuse.

Visit the Joyful Heart Foundation website and learn more about Reunion

Following is an excerpt written by Alyssa Milano for the Huffington Post:

I’m giving up my 37th Birthday and it has nothing to do with vanity or nearing the big 4-0. I couldn’t care less about numbers as they pertain to my age. I do, however, care about age when it pertains to those throughout the world who don’t make it to their 37th birthdays because of a lack of clean drinking water and proper sanitation.

As a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and the founding ambassador for the Global Network, I’ve traveled to the field and seen firsthand the devastation left behind by waterborne illnesses. On these trips, I’ve run the gamut of emotions that range from mind-bending anger to heart-warming hope. Upon my return from the field, I count my blessings, and then as time passes, I become frustrated with myself that I’m not doing more to alleviate the pain of those I met on my journey.

Read the full story and learn more about Charity: Water

It’s a bold statement, but true. As Kathleen McGowan points out in her article in the Huffington Post, you can: “make a difference — even save lives — by shopping online.” The Emancipation Network and Made By Survivors has created programs that create and sustain employment for women who have been rescued from the nightmare of human trafficking, allowing them to be both safe and self-supporting.

Made by Survivors has created a program which allows average citizens to care in a painless way. Made by Survivors provides a marketplace for products created by young women who have been rescued or are at risk; they are fighting slavery with empowerment. You can make a difference – even save lives- by simply shopping online. Buying beautiful handmade products, a necklace or a purse or holiday cards, makes you an activist in the global battle to end slavery. It is so simple, yet ultimately powerful. It raises awareness at the same time that it raises funds.

Read Kathleen’s full story in the Huffington Post, including her personal brush with human trafficking and link to Made by Survivors’ beautiful handmade jewelry.

Here at the Cause Shoppe, we heart TOMS Shoes and its founder, Blake Mycoskie. TOMS Shoes is exactly what PhilGoods are all about, and we hope to introduce thousands — no MILLIONS — of new shoppers to this awesome brand. A huge congratulations to Blake who just received the Secretary of State’s 2009 ACE Award!

Read the full story in the Huffington Post.

‘Tis the season to spend, spend, spend! But, while you’re letting go of all your hard-earned cash, think about gifts you can buy that give back to a worthy cause. You’ll feel just a little better about your credit card bill come January, and you’re sure to warm the recipient’s heart as well.

Read the rest of this article from the Huffington Post and check out their list of gifts.