After an absolutely insane year of change and strife, I vowed not to get involved in tons of new projects. The plan was to step back, regroup and heal. But I can’t, because every amazing initiative by the Sandals Foundation stops me in my tracks. Even browsing the website grounds me, seeing ways the Foundation helps so many other people, animals and our environment.

A Focus on the Environment

Currently celebrating their 10th anniversary, they ‘Face the Caribbean’ – a sea filled with life that is on the brink of catastrophe. They have set out to tackle one of the foremost issues on the planet. Coral is being destroyed by microplastics, Lionfish are feasting on reefs and global warming warms the waters. Our coral and vegetation are dying, and marine life follows quickly. Let’s all help, even in tiny ways that make a huge difference. 

At this time of year, we want to start spring cleaning and decluttering our load of possessions. At the same time – we need to think about keeping goods out of landfills. On average, Canadians generate 720 kg of waste per capita. Not only can your disposal choice reduce landfill waste, but it can help others, or make you some extra cash. Here’s where you work on donating and consigning in Vancouver.

We are so very blessed in Canada. When we get pregnant, there is nursery-planning to be done, websites to study and prenatal vitamins to consume. This magical time isn’t so exciting in other parts of the world. We are very much the exception and not the norm. In countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Rwanda, the outcomes of pregnancy can look very different. Every day, more than 800 women die from pregnancy or child-birth related complications in developing countries.

Today I decorated my 5th holiday tree. The neighbourhood kids and I made a gingerbread house decked out with bushels of candy, and I polished off the remainder of the online gift buying while they sipped rich hot chocolate and watched holiday films. I am one of the VERY lucky ones. As are my kids. Many, many others are not so lucky. Did you know that 1 in 7 (or 4.9 million) people in Canada live in poverty? Imagine sending a letter to Santa and being the only kid in your class whose wish goes unanswered. Imagine looking at a huge turkey dinner commercial on TV while you eat plain noodles for your entire holiday.

Most of us as parents have become pretty smart in terms of Christmas morning organization and Hanukkah gift openings. With screwdriver and batteries on hand, we watch them delightedly tear open the presents and promptly fall in love with the loudest one. After an hour, the batteries die. Wha? It’s at this point we realize that it was on ‘tester’ mode, and the company also put in crappy batteries. Duracell and mini screwdriver to the rescue!

Stocking stuffers are so hard. They need to be small, yet inexpensive, and getting useless stuff is a waste. This year we think we’ve nailed it with these stocking stuffers for charity that give back.