For Seller

By: Brenda Fleen

Is there anything better than the feeling you get after buying an outfit you’ve been lusting for at half price? By supporting a benefit and shopping for a cause, you’re scoring the hottest trend or designer outfit while helping out those in need. Multi-tasking hasn’t been this much fun! And some people say you can’t be fashionable and philanthropic at the same time. Prove them wrong, uplift your spirits, and update your wardrobe by choosing from a vast array of charities and causes online.

Animal Rights have been around since forever. People who fight for this cause have resorted to both subtle and drastic actions to advocate animal abuse awareness and recruit more members. As an individual and part of the general buying public, you can also be a part of this movement and help in your own little way. The Animal Rescue Site gives tribute to the nationwide efforts of their partner organization, Petfinder.com, in giving homeless animals a chance to belong. Every item that you purchase has a corresponding positive consequence, ultimately providing food for animals in need. Take, for example, the Purple Paw Hobo Bag which is a sleek crescent purse than can hold a lot of your belongings while advertising the cause to help our little furry friends. For only $16.95 a pop, the Animal Rescue Site will donate 14 bowls of food to animal shelters and sanctuaries for each bag that you buy. The distinct embroidered lavender paws give fashion statements a new meaning. It has three interior compartments with corresponding metal clasps, two interior pockets, a removable key ring holder, and a central compartment that closes with a zipper for supreme function and security. The water resistant interior makes it perfect for night, day, and any season for that matter. The bag comes in black and khaki, both very trendy hues and easy to pair with your wardrobe. For something more compact, you may get the Hope & Heal Paw Pin at a very affordable price of $8.95. For every purchased pin, the site also donates 14 bowls of animal food. The inspiring light blue enamel ribbon pin perfectly captures the essence of animal protection and could be fashioned on any part of your wardrobe. Purchase these great Purple Paw items and do your part by going to www.greatergood.com.

Another prominent charity giving all their time and attention to various children’s causes is The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation which is primarily hosting charity benefits and auctions parading the hottest couture donated by television, movie, and sports celebrities. All the proceeds go to this year’s beneficiaries including the emergency relief efforts in Darfur, Children’s Defense Fund, and Cure Autism Now. The latest auctions will showcase clothes and accessories worn by celebrities from Jane Magazine’s August issue and the 58th Emmy Awards Show attendees. You can now get one of the dresses that Heidi Klum wore on the hit TV show, Project Runway. The black Kevin Johns number opened at a bid of $100 and is quickly gaining momentum with online bidders from all over the country. This is your chance to own it for yourself while helping less-fortunate kids everywhere. Simply go to www.clothesoffourbacks.org for more information.

Breast cancer might be just be the most common cause because it is also the most prevalent concern of women today. You can help find the cure for this devastating disease by patronizing different designers and stores that advocate the cause through their dazzling haute couture. The Tracy Reese Baby Doll Tunic boasts of feminine pizazz, and you can get it for more or less $240 at www.edressme.com while 20% of the proceeds will go to the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund. The Breast Cancer Survivor Baseball Cap is a rocking powerful piece of head candy and is available for only $14.95 at www.pinkribbonshop.com. A significant portion of all the items sold at the site goes to various Breast Cancer Awareness and Cancer Research Programs nationwide.

Heal the world in your own little way and others will soon follow. Shopping isn’t just an expensive hobby anymore, it can also help create awareness for various causes and save lives even if it means buying one dress at a time.

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