The vision behind the Cause Shoppe was rooted in the belief that by becoming charity-conscious consumers, we can all make a difference. While scouring the internet for PhilGoods™ – our clever name for philanthropic products – we happened upon a necklace with an incredible origin. The Falling Whistles necklace is both a profound illustration of the power a single PhilGood™ can have and the ultimate representation of why we felt developing the Cause Shoppe was so important.

The story of the necklace started with Sean, a young man with bad case of wanderlust who was traveling though Africa. While in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, he learned about a brutal military tactic in which boys too young to carry a gun are sent to the front lines of battle, armed with only a whistle. Their sole duty: to make enough noise to “scare” the enemy and receive the first round of bullets. That’s right. Children sacrificed as temporary barricades.

Shocked and appalled by what he had learned, Sean shared the story on his blog. He began writing:

My computer screen blurs. I cannot help the weeping that hinders my vision and falls on the keys even as I type these words.

Upon returning home, Sean received an unusual gift from a friend inspired by the blog – a whistle. Worn as a necklace, over the heart, the whistle helped Sean share the horrible truths he had learned. Sean founded Falling Whistles, a nonprofit organization, and the whistle necklaces are now sold as a powerful fundraising tool for rehabilitating and advocating for war-affected children. 100% of the proceeds go toward their mission and the Falling Whistles team is very transparent about any stipends they receive. Their site states: “We live simply so others can simply live.”

Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” One whistle won’t end the war, but if each person becomes a whistleblower for peace and the conversation gets loud enough, we can – and will – be heard.

So now you know why we’re doing what we’re doing. We aren’t personally curing cancer or saving the rainforests, but through the Cause Shoppe we hope to eventually engage millions of online shoppers in helping make this world a better place. We invite you to join us in spreading the word and making every one of your purchases have purpose.

Sincerely,

Brooke + Romney
The Cause Shoppe Gals

P.S. Speaking of creating great conversation, we’re looking forward to having great conversations with you. Drop us a line, weigh in, sound off… we want to hear from you.

“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!

“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’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

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

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.

Read the full story in the Huffington Post.

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

Finding amazing PhilGoods has become a bit of an obsession of ours and we’re so happy to finally be able to offer them to you. During these trying economic times, we all need to make sure that every purchase is made with purpose, and this is a great way to get excellent items while helping a charity at the same time.

At “go-time” we launched with nearly 100 products of the 3,000 we’ve found and we’re adding them fast as our fingers can type. You’ll want to check back every day (hourly, perhaps) to see the latest and greatest! New features will be rolling out too. It’ll just keep getting better and better!

Happy Cause Shopping!

Brooke and Romney
Co-Founders