Gifts that Give Back

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Moral Minority Clothing

Owned by Heidi Braun and Alex Graff, Suwanee-bas company, Moral Minority’s motto is: “Change Clothes. Change Your Mind. Change the World”. It is a “lifestyle clothing company for men and women that promotes social issues through design, and donates a portion of the earnings to nonprofits that work toward creating a kinder world.” Causes that they are passionate about include: ocean conservation, mental health, animal welfare, prison reform, poverty and bullying, to name a few. When visiting the website, shoppers have the ability to choose which specific cause they’d like to support and see which nonprofit the funds go towards. This transparent approach gives customers a unique opportunity to see precisely how they’re donations are being used. Braun and Graff believe that “for everything we sell that benefits us, we give some back to benefit others.” Visit lovemoralminority.com to shop and learn more!

Hopeful Hearts T-Shirts Chanler Phelps showing a Hopeful Hearts tshirt

Suwanee native, Chanler Phelps, recently opened Chan-Elizabeth, a women’s clothing boutique in Duluth that offers a variety of designer clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes. But, at the cornerstone of Chan-Elizabeth is Phelp’s dedication to giving back. She created the Hopeful Hearts vintage T-shirts to sell at her store, and for every shirt sold, a donation will be made to CURE Childhood Cancer – an Atlanta- based charity dedicated to conquering childhood cancer. Here is a fashionable T-shirt that gives back in a big way.

Chan-Elizabeth Boutique
9700 Medlock Crossing Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30097

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Most people are familiar with Habitat for Humanity, an organization established here in Georgia in the 1970’s, whose vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” Since then, they have built over a million homes worldwide, all through the support of donors and volunteers. The Gwinnett Chapter has built 124 homes in Gwinnett County and 160 worldwide.

What many people are not as familiar with is the Gwinnett ReStore store, meant as a place for the general public to shop. Gwinnett ReStore is a Lawrenceville shop, containing both new and used householditems, which purely funds Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and families in need of affordable housing. The ReStore concept developed when Habitat for Humanity was flooded with donations of materials and household goods for the homes they were building. When they weren’t able to use all of the donations in homes, they began selling the goods at a discounted rate.

“It became a perpetual fundraiser and an unintentional business model,” explained Market Director, Jeremy Keen. “The traditional notion of giving has shifted…people want to see exactly where their money is going,” he said. And, at Gwinnett ReStore you can rest assured that all proceeds cycle back into the Habitat for Humanity Program, “making our shoppers feel like stakeholders in the program,” he continued.

The store also offers alternative volunteer opportunities for individuals who want to help, but might not be able to physically assist with the construction of a home. With the busy shopping season approaching, they are currently looking for additional donations of quality, re-sellable products. All donations are tax- deductible and they even offer a pickup service for large items.

From kitchen sinks to cabinets, appliances, doors, windows, building materials, tools, furniture, and
household goods – “you never know what we’re going to get,” said ReStore Manager, Charlene Rogers, of items found in their store.

For the holiday season, they will stock the store with ornaments, trees and decDSC_0039orations; and also serve as a drop-off location for Toys for Tots.

“This truly is a treasure hunters paradise,” said Rogers. And, with a steady flow of items, treasure-hunters better hurry to find that special gift!

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
2100 Riverside Pkway
Lawrenceville, GA
770-962-4200
Gwinnettrestore.org

Visit the Georgia SPCA and help give an animal a second chance at life

Not much could be cuter than seeing a sweet puppy, wagging its tail with delight as it realizes it now has a loving home, and your children squealing with excitement realizing it’s theirs to keep. For our cover shoot, we had the chance to take photos with Mr. Pibbs, a sweet 3-month old Catahoula mix puppy, and just one of the adorable dogs available for adoption at the SPCA.

The Georgia SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is a Suwanee-based nonprofit pet rescue that takes in homeless or abused dogs and cats, and places them in foster care until suitable, permanent homes are found. Prior to adoption, their pets are fully vetted, including: all vaccinations, disease testing, treatment and prevention of heartworm, flea and tick medication, micro chip and spay or neuter. The SPCA takes careful consideration when finding permanent homes for their animals, and understands that pet adoption requires a high level of commitment and responsibility. Through their “Paws for Consideration” program, you have the unique opportunity to take a dog or cat for a 1-week trial period, and see if it’s a good fit for your family. A new dog or cat is a wonderful and rewarding addition to the family, and it can be even more rewarding knowing that you are giving it a second chance at life!

If pet ownership is not something you are looking for at this time, but would still like to support Georgia SPCA, then please stop by and visit Sadie’s Place and Vintage Sadie’s. Sadie’s Place is the SPCA’s resale boutique shop, located next door to the shelter, and Vintage Sadie’s is located inside Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors at 4125 Georgia Highway 20 in Buford. All income, from both locations, directly benefits Georgia SPCA.

Georgia SPCA and Sadie’s Place
1175 Buford Hwy, Suite 109
Suwanee, GA 30024
GeorgiaSPCA.ORG

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