The next leg of the Card Me National Summer Tour could not have been more fun! First we stopped off in Pittsburgh, PA, where we teamed up with Bryan Douglas and the People Helping People group for an afternoon in the park. At the appropriately named Card Me in the Park event there was great music, free food, and lots of gift cards, all going to benefit a local restaurant called Conflict Kitchen. The socially conscious chefs at Conflict Kitchen prepare a dish every four months from a country that the United States is in conflict with and then educate those eating the diverse cuisine on the culture and lives of the people from that country. Currently Conflict Kitchen is serving up kubideh (spiced ground beef) in a tasty barbari bread with onion, mint, and basil, just like it is served in Iran, and the newest dish on the menu will be something scrumptious from Afghanistan.
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Next we took a scenic drive down to Morgantown, West Virginia, and it felt like the country roads took us right on home (John Denver fans, anyone?). We had a fun evening of games at Sozo Coffeehouse and were able to support the wonderful work of Nuru International, who are currently working in the Kuria District of Kenya to improve the agriculture, water and sanitation, healthcare, education, and community economic development in the surrounding 23 villages. If you want to join with Nuru in their initiative to eradicate extreme poverty, you can learn more about their life changing work here. It was hard to leave the beautiful scenery, but back we came to Pittsburgh for two parties in one night – talk about epic fun!
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One party was held at Duquesne University with the proceeds going to an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, and the other was held in a local coffee shop with the funds going to Aliquippa Impact, a community based youth development organization serving the young people and families of Aliquippa, PA. So far we’ve been taking The Steel City by storm – and we hope it stays that way! If you want to see if the Gift Card Giver Team is coming to take your city by storm please visit our Gift Card Drive Summer Tour Site or our Gift Card Giver Website. Looking forward to another two weeks of fun!
We’re still working our way across the country on the Gift Card Drive! We had a wonderful night in Wilmington, NC, with the men and women of Outside the Walls , a local initiative committed to making a difference in their community through the mentorship of at-risk youth. Complete with salsa dancing and a group sing-along, the party was a beautiful celebration of friendship and love that only partially captured the powerful work of Outside the Walls and all the care and support they continue to share with those who need it most.
The next day we beat the sun and hit the road before daybreak to drive to the one and only New York, NY. In a hip club in Greenwich Village we got the opportunity to partner with the Caleb Hope Foundation for their annual Rock India Benefit Concert. The Caleb Hope Foundation works to mobilize individuals from the artist and professional communities in the inner city to empower the poorest of the poor in India. The Rock Indian Benefit Concert aimed to raise awareness and financial support for orphans living in slums in Northern India with all the proceeds of the night going to help provide them with basic supplies they would not have otherwise. We had a great time enjoying the music of Zach Williams, a good friend of Gift Card Giver, and took some time following the concert to do a little sight seeing of the city that never sleeps.
Following our stay in the Big Apple, we took a drive through upstate New York and met up with the lovely people of Let Them LOL in Buffalo, NY. Let Them LOL is a non-profit started by Joe and Kate Vacanti working to alleviate unjust suffering around the world, with their first project being to build clean water wells in Sierra Leone, Africa, through the sell of a unique laughing ring tone. We couldn’t have asked for a better group of supportive individuals, with their infectious energy and passion for the children of Sierra Leone reminding us why we are on this tour in the first place. Refreshed and inspired, we are looking forward to another week on the Card Me National Summer Tour and to continue meeting wonderful people involved in their communities and creating social change through their creative efforts. To join in on the fun, please check out our other tour dates by visiting either our Card Me National Summer Tour Site or our Gift Card Giver Website.
LiNK is a non-profit, non-partisan organization aiming to educate, protect, advocate, provide, and empower the North Korean people so that one day they will be able to live in true freedom. LiNK shares the stories of North Korean citizens and refugees through creative media and awareness tours, educating individuals around the world about the humanitarian crisis currently taking place in North Korea. They advocate on behalf of the North Korean people, work with other NGOs and governments, and provide assistance to North Korean refugees as they attempt to build new lives in foreign countries.
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LiNK’s work focuses on awareness through mobilizing the grassroots and telling their stories of hope and survival. To elevate the expenses of their awareness tour and financially aid their resettled refugees, we were able to send Wal-Mart and fast food gift cards to the wonderful men and women at LiNK. If you are interested in ways you could join the LiNK movement, here is a list of ways you can get involved.
The Card Me National Summer Drive has officially begun! With two parties down and eighteen more to go, we are beyond excited about all the support and love we’ve already been receiving. We kicked of the tour at Lancaster, PA (pronounced LANK-ister for those not from the Dutch country) and my goodness did we have some fun! Held at a local coffee shop, the party began with some great tunes from Liz Goodgame, followed by a great time with the wonderful people of Hope International. Hope is a non-profit organization focused on alleviating physical and spiritual poverty through microenterprise development and is actively working in over a dozen countries around the world. We were so excited to continue our partnership with Hope and aiding them in the wonderful work they are doing with microfinance across the globe.
After our stay in ol’Lancaster, we drove on down to the lovely city of Charlotte, NC – and my, is it gorgeous! A big thanks to our hosts, Jason and Donna Yarborough, and everyone who came out last night to support the Free Store, a local clothing collective that strives to connect people from all walks of life in order to meet one another’s needs. This morning we were able to tour the Free Store and Area 15, a community of creatives sharing studio space with other artists, professionals, and non-profits, and were amazed by all the great things happening in a warehouse in Charlotte! It’s only day three of our tour, and already we are overwhelmed by all the beautiful people we’ve met who are each changing the world in their own little way! Can’t wait to support even more wonderful initiatives throughout the tour. To check out our other tour dates, or RSVP for an event near you, please check out our Card Me National Summer Tour Site or our Gift Card Giver Website.
Are you in need of a new book to jazz up your coffee table? How about a memorable gift for a friend? Gift Card Giver is here to help. We are excited to announce that the Give For Good: The Story of GiftCardGiver.com book is now here!
This forty page hardcover book tells the story of Gift Card Giver, our mission, our goals, and some of our most touching giving stories. With gripping full color images and a great message, this is the perfect way to support a wonderful idea and keep your coffee table looking up-to-date.
The Give For Good book is now available for sale in our online store. For those looking to donate to our cause directly, we will give a free book and our new Give for Good t-shirt to anyone who makes a cash donation of $100 or more. Only you can help us write the Gift Card Giver story – one book at a time.
The mission of the Godparents Youth Organization is to provide a unique learning experience for urban youth through various travel opportunities, using an integrated approach of both personal experience and community support.
Through “Men-Touring,” the students get the opportunity to tour historical landmarks, college campuses, museums, and memorials that they may not have had the opportunity to visit otherwise. Each travel experience opens the child’s eyes to a world of possibilities which is further encouraged on their return with the help of parents, teachers, local businesses, civic officials, members of the clergy, and religious organizations. In addition to the education and exposure received while traveling, the youth distribute backpacks filled with school supplies, clothing, and essential items to less fortunate kids across the country. By doing so they learn the value of giving and understand that they can make a difference if they personally choose to.
Godparents Youth Organization encourages cultural awareness and character development, with the youth learning how to model social responsibility and celebrate diversity as they are empowered to begin the path of becoming tomorrow’s leaders. As the youth travel across the country, lunch break is an anticipated necessity – which is why we are excited to be able to give Godparents Youth Organization restaurant gift cards for their many stops along the way. Happy traveling!
We love the idea of being able to help non-profits succeed in some really non-conventional ways. It’s why we’re passionate about Project 7’s work! They create products, retailers sell them to consumers, consumers learn more about humanitarian issues and fund nonprofits. Nonprofits are able to accomplish more, and bring things full circle to be able to tell stories of restoration in communities who are desperate for it. They have a very different approach to conducting business. Through their efforts they’ve been able to help a myriad of non-profits who are each doing important work. We wanted to highlight and celebrate with them their successes!
They are also partnering with Gift Card Giver’s Gift Card Drive this summer! If you’re interested in joining in, check out the invitations and see when we’re near you!
-HOPE International will provide 300 small loans and training to entrepreneurs who have the skills to run a business but lack access to capital. With loans, clients expand their businesses, increase profits, and break the cycle of extreme poverty for their families.
-Blood:Water Mission will drill 3 wells in 3 communities in Northern Uganda, providing clean water for over 1000 people along with training in hygiene and sanitation. These wells will help restore health & hope to these war-torn regions of Uganda.
Partners In Health: $38 provides a vulnerable child in Haiti the support he/she needs to overcome their barriers to health. If a child doesn’t have adequate access to food, potable water, or if they simply need help paying for school books – this grant will bring a better future for 400 orphans and vulnerable children.
-Stop Child Trafficking NOW: The average child predator pays $30 to violate a child for 15 mins., the same $30 puts a highly trained SCTNow operative team in the field for 15 mins.! $15K will send operative teams across the United States & take child predators off the street.
-Invisible Children will provide a university scholarship and a mentor to 12 girls in the war torn area of northern Uganda. These scholarships will provide the opportunity for promising young women to become leaders in their community and ensure lasting peace.
-SOS Children’s Villages provides loving homes for orphaned children worldwide. We’ll give beds and safe homes to 120 children in Niger, Africa who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDs and other devastating circumstances.
-Plant With Purpose will plant 15,000 trees and construct 15 miles of soil erosion barriers in Haiti. Together, tree planting and soil conservation replenishes soil, improves crop yields, and allows families to become self-sufficient and transform their lives.
Gilda’s Club provides social and emotional support to anyone living with cancer – men, women, teens, children – and their families and friends. Through a warm and comfortable home-like environment, they foster a supportive community where information is freely exchanged and members learn from one another how best to live with cancer.
Serving those in western Pennsylvania, Gilda’s Club is cited as an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education, and social activities. This free program is based on the belief that social and emotional support is as essential as medical care when cancer is in the family. Volunteers and staff implement programs that recognize the wisdom and value of the person who is experiencing cancer, as well as that of family members and friends.
In order to support their work with those living with cancer, we were able to send Gilda’s Club gift cards to craft stores to purchase supplies for their many arts and crafts classes.
Gilda’s Club provides social and emotional support to anyone living with cancer – men, women, teens, children – and their families and friends. Through a warm and comfortable home-like environment, they foster a supportive community where information is freely exchanged and members learn from one another how best to live with cancer.
Serving those in western Pennsylvania, Gilda’s Club is cited as an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education, and social activities. This free program is based on the belief that social and emotional support is as essential as medical care when cancer is in the family. Volunteers and staff implement programs that recognize the wisdom and value of the person who is experiencing cancer, as well as that of family members and friends.
In order to support their work with those living with cancer, we were able to send Gilda’s Club gift cards to craft stores to purchase supplies for their many arts and crafts classes.
Celtic Cross is a Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Kennesaw State University that partners with students as they begin to navigate their new lifestyle away from family and friends. Leaders often meet with students over coffee or a meal to discuss everything from dating to spiritual matters, and typically giving students gifts to encourage them throughout the semester. To help offset their ministry’s costs, we were able to provide Celtic Cross with gift cards to coffee shops and bookstores so they can continue encouraging and caring for the students of Kennesaw State.
We stumbled upon this beautiful story of redemption and growth and had to share it with you! Treasures Ministry is a unique, faith-based outreach and support group for women in the sex industry. As the only organization of its kind based in the greater Los Angeles area, their mission is to encourage women through the discovery of their value and purpose by providing spiritual inspiration, resources and referrals to professional services.
Treasures Ministries received gift cards to body care and makeup stores to help them purchase cosmetics and toiletries for gift bags that they give to the women they are building relationships with. Such a wonderful message of hope and love.
