Gifts With Heart: Benefiting People With Special Needs

I’m not sure if it’s a function of the economy, my age, or something else altogether, but I’ve been looking for more unique gift ideas this year – “unique” meaning “not from a big-box store” and preferably a gift with purpose. If you’re looking for something similar, check out one of the ideas below.

Note: None of these products or companies are sponsoring this post – I just think they’re worthy of your time. Especially Aspire CoffeeWorks. Love. Them.

 

Aspire CoffeeWorks

I first discovered and blogged about Aspire CoffeeWorks last fall. Aspire Coffeeworks (“Great Coffee Doing Good”) is a supplier of finely crafted coffees in the Chicagoland area. 100% of the profits help fund Aspire, a not-for-profit that supports people with developmental disabilities, and Aspire CoffeeWorks also employs individuals with disabilities. All of their coffees are both organic and Fair Trade certified.

I’ve been drinking Aspire Coffees (I like to blend the Aspire Roast half-and-half with the Dream Big Decaf) for about a year now, and I love it! A pound of Aspire Roast costs about the same as a pound of Starbucks, and it’s available either ground or whole bean. They have several gift baskets available – I use a travel press almost daily, although I LOVE my barrel mugs.

The COFFEE Idea

The COFFEE Idea, a Greenville, South Carolina based company, Cultivates Opportunities For Future Employment and Entrepreneurship for individuals with disabilities so they may gain valuable work experience and training that they will use in the workplace. Through their partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), 50% of each purchase in the NDSS store will be donated to the NDSS. The store includes several varieties of coffee, hot chocolate, latte mix, lemonade, and candy. To purchase NDSS private label coffee and other specialty products, visit the NDSS store at The COFFEE Idea.

Rhyme & Reason

Rhyme and Reason is “a clothing store where 10% of every purchase goes to help a charity of your choice,” and one of those charities is the National Down Syndrome Society. The NDSS collection includes men’s, women’s and kids’ t-shirts featuring 3:21 on the front, symbolic of the third copy of chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21, and the NDSS logo on the back.

Okobos

Inspired by her daughter’s premature birth, Michelle Juza and her husband, Tom, founded Okobos (“Walk With a Purpose”) – a footwear company, a charitable foundation and a new way of doing business. Okobos sells footwear and other items, and using donation code NDSS, $25 from the proceeds of each pair of shoes will be given to the NDSS.

Official R-Word Store

Although the store is geared toward event purchases, the R-word Store carries hats, tees, and coffee mugs with the Spread the Word to End the Word logo. All prices include a donation to Special Olympics and Best Buddies, and helps to Spread the Word to End the Word.

Blue Q

Blue Q, located in Massachusetts, has partnered with the Berkshire County ARC to employ a work force of disabled and non-disabled individuals working together to assemble their products, which range from breath sprays to pencil cases to drinkware to overnight bags. I can’t adequately describe how unique their products are – you just need to go see for yourself.

Walgreens

Are you one of those people who scrambles at the last minute for something at the drugstore? If you are, then be sure to choose Walgreens as your last minute gift stop. Santa typically puts “movie theater” candy boxes in the stockings at our house, and I’m pretty sure he gets them at Walgreens. I know it’s Big Box, but Walgreens was a pioneer in employing people with disabilities, and for that reason, they get my business.

And a couple more…

Reece’s Rainbow

I posted about Reece’s Rainbow, an international adoption ministry for children with Down syndrome and other special needs, last week, and about their 2011 Christmas Angel Tree program. Take a look back at my post about Reece’s Rainbow, and then visit their website to find out more about how you can obtain one of their limited edition ornaments.

Etsy for Therapy

Who doesn’t love some handmade Etsy goodies? Last month, Ellen of Love That Max highlighted several moms with Etsy shops. Not only are their creations uber-fabulous gifts, but these crafty women are also mothers to children with special needs, and the items they sell help to pay for the various therapies that their children need. Check out her post “Handmade gifts by special needs moms that pay for their kids’ therapies.”

Do you have any other “Gifts With Heart” suggestions? Share them in the comments!