October Charity of the Month: Cancer Research Institute

It's the Holiday season again... which means its time to turn up the giving-charm.

Every year, here at greenstarstudio, we practice putting the heart in art, by partnering with a charity for an entire month, in order to raise awareness and money for people & animals & places in need.

Choosing this month's charity was, sadly, not difficult at all. I, like so many others, unfortunately know way too many people who have been directly affected by Cancer. It's taken mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, & from far too many friends.

I wish my list of people who've done battle or have been affected by this terrible disease was shorter (if not completely non-existent), but its not. Its way too long and has been so for too long a time. My dear friend Ali, has invested so much of her young & vibrant life recently to supporting BOTH of her parents through their fight (read her brilliantly written letter to Cancer here). Ali's birthday is Oct. 15th, and I decided last month that as my birthday gift to her, I would like to help her raise money for her favorite charity. So, with that, I'm proud to announce that The Cancer Research Institute is the October Charity of the Month.

From today through October 31st, 5% of ALL my etsy sales will go directly to the Cancer Research Institute! And on OCT 15th, i'll donate 15% of the sales! So shop and know you're supporting a good cause. You don't need to include a code or do anything but fill your cart and enjoy the benefits. Now's a great time to stock up on birthday & holiday gifts, and let your purchase do double duty.



Just a few weeks ago, I learned that my good friend, Megan had Lymphoma... she's only just started grad school and today, she also starts Chemo. I made her the OoAKie pictured above, as a "voodoo doll" of sorts. She says "totes" (instead of Totally) a lot, so i figured her Cancer VooDoo doll would too.

And, keep an eye on the shop for plenty of brand new OoAKies just waiting to be customized into Cancer VooDoo dolls, like Megan's. They make wonderful, life affirming, giggle-worthy, clutchable, reminders of love, for anyone you know who could use a little boost of "I'm thinking of you", while they fight for their lives. The dolls are customizable too--- I can include a special message just from you--- just include a note in the Message to Seller section as Check out!

Thanks for helping Ali & I support such a worthy cause.
Love & Health,
danamarie

May Charity of the Month: Relay for Life

are you feeling generous?


i am.



i don't know exactly when it happened, but i can't recall a time in my life when my art and my personal beliefs have not been intrinsically connected.




i've always wanted (and still have every intention of doing so) to run my own non-profit; a special place for creative people to give back and get a little acknowledgment and success of their own, in return. i love teaching. i love watching kids get involved, get motivated and "get it" (and adults too, for that matter).


any opportunity i have to GIVE always feels right to me.


i can't help but acknowledge how fortunate i am, how much i have and how much i've been able to make of what i have...



... and i've reached a point where it feels right to actively contribute to meaningful causes as often as possible.






last month, i made a wonderful decision to donate a percentage of my etsy profits to the maryland society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and in that month, with the help of some very generous and aware patrons, i was able to raise $100 for the cause!

giving feels good.


and the better i feel, the more productive i am.

the more productive i am, the more i have to give...

...infinity.


SO, i've decided that greenstarstudio is OFFICIALLY sponsoring a different charity each month and donating 5% of the profits from all etsy sales to said cause. The charities will be listed along the side bar, with opportunities for people to donate anytime they want, directly to the cause, long after the designated month ends.


and its with that, that i introduce the May cause of the month: the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. i'm not sure i know ANYONE who hasn't lost a loved one to cancer; who hasn't helped a friend with their own battle; who hasn't been affected, in some way, by this disease. I am choosing to support this cause, and this relay team in particular, because my brother-in-law lost his mother, Connie, to ovarian cancer when he was in high school. and because the first funeral i ever attended was during my 7th grade year; my best friend called my house in tears in the middle of the night because her mother had lost her battle with breast cancer. and because, however small it may seem in the grand scheme of things, i still can't believe that earlier this year, i had to say goodbye to my best four-legged friend, who's body had turned against her. and because it's the only way i know how to help the survivors and those struggling and fighting their own battle--- i can't cure it, but i can sure as heck help raise money for the those who might and those who need them to.

from now until June 1st, 5% of ALL etsy sales etsy will donated to Carrie & Bob's team.

I've just completely re-vamped and stocked the etsy shop... so go ahead and UN-STOCK it!

If you'd like to skip the purchasing part and just make a donation directly, please go here: make a donation

thank you so much.
peace, health and lots of love.
xoxo, danamarie