Our wants = Their needs

Do you know about (PRODUCT)RED yet? Ever since we found out about it, we have been buying it up every chance we get! We discovered (PRODUCT)RED way before our decision to adopt. Oprah had Bono on one afternoon and he had unveiled this concept to partner with various corporations in order to raise money for AIDS in Africa. From their website:

(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

What's the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them "the embrace." Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name -- (PRODUCT)RED.

It just makes sense. If you are going to buy something, why not buy the product that gives back. What a great concept. Many companies have joined in and many are following. Some of the companies we have purchased from are GAP, Sprint and Hallmark. So far (RED) contributions have topped $100 million. They have put the money to work in the African countries of Swaziland, Ghana and Rwanda.

This subject has become so much more intense for us. Our girls parents could have died from AIDS. If not, something even crazier, like Malaria or TB. Diseases that are PREVENTABLE and that people in the USA DON'T die from. If their parents weren't infected with the AIDS virus, I am sure that their friends in the orphange have been affected by it. 11.4 million children in Africa have been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.

Buying products that help to change peoples lives, makes this world a little smaller. We are often paralyzed into doing NOTHING when a crisis is a world away and is so big. This offers us a way to really HELP, no more excuses. You can learn more about(PRODUCT)RED here and learn about the Global Fund here.

So, when your cell phone contract expires and you need a new toy get a (RED)MOTORAZR like me! OR if your shoe fetish has taken you hostage and you need a new pair of kicks go here. OR the temperature has warmed 30 degrees and you are ready to bare those arms with a cute new tee go here. OR you just need to send a thank you note, make a trip to Hallmark and buy these.