Join with me this Movember!

What is Movember?

From their website: "As an official global charity, Movember’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches on men's faces around the world. Through the power of the Mo, vital funds and awareness are raised to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges."

To support Movember, with every mustache item purchased in the month of November, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Movember! 

Charity for 2014

pic source

Back in the day when I started Ni-Chern Designs in 2005, I donated a percentage of my profit to a cancer organization. Since this was just a hobby, it didn't really matter if I made much of an income.

Even though right now, I don't have a full time job, I think I need to bring giving back to my business for a few reasons. I donate my time to the community (such as being a Youth Friend) and being the co-leader for the Adopt-A-Family during the holidays for the company that I worked for last year.
The impact that I felt when the co-worker and I led the Adopt-A-Family for Cancer Action in KC was really full-filling. I want to bring that back. You know that saying that you never really feel complete until you help others? Maybe not, or maybe it's something that I felt.

For 2014, I will be donating 5% of my profit to a non-profit organization. There are so many organizations that I want to help, but unable to help. So, this is where I will need your help. Because there are SO many non-profit organizations out there, I am not sure which one to pick!

If you want me to donate part of my profit to an organization, please comment in this post with the organization, website, and why do you think they need the help.

Which organization do you think will make an impact and why you want me to donate to them?
I will pick the top 3, and the readers/fans/etc. gets to pick the one that I will be donating to in 2014. This organization will be receiving 5% of my profit for the full year os 2014. Then next year in October, we'll do this all over again! I'm doing this now, so it wouldn't be so crazy when the Holiday gets here.

FAQ:
Q1. I'm not in Kansas City, but there is a local non-profit that has really impacted me, are you willing to donate to them if you select them?
A1: Yes! The organization doesn't have to be in Kansas City! It can be any where in the U.S.

Q2: Do you base your selection off of Charity Rating?
A2: Yes, I do. It is important to me that money donation to any non-profit organization uses the donated money wisely.

Q3: Does it have to be a cancer organization?
A3: No, it can be pet rescue, helping the homeless, etc.

Q4: Can it be my church/temple/religious organization?
A4: Even though they are non-profit, I'd like to keep the religion and political organizations separate. So, please do not submit any religious or political organizations.

Q5: Will you tell us how much you will be donating?
A5: Yes! I will post an amount to let you know how much everyone have helped as of that day. I plan on finding a widget that has "as of now" donated amount/graph/bar/ something on the website/blog.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

Organization submittal are due: October 25
Top 3 Organization will be selected: November 1
Voting starts November 1 and ends November 8.
5% of profit starting January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 to the non-profit organization.

The months of November and December is basically for me to contact the organization to let them know what I'm doing, and how they can help (if they want to) and some other PR stuff that I need to take care of.

Thanks!

Adopt A Family

I know, I know. You've probably been asking where I have been. I'm still here. Everything is just crazy busy right now. Isn't it always like that around the holidays?

Well, let's start in November. *image blurs*

Our work does a Adopt-a-Family every year, and ever studio heads up a different activity for our work. This year, our studio did Adopt-A-Family.
Earlier in the year (is this going to be another image blur?), I did some searching for local non-profit organizations. I had found Cancer Action KC.
They head up a "Making Wishes Come True" (which is their Adopt-A-Family) for families that a member of the family with cancer and are in poverty.

We were aiming high, and we decided to adopt FIVE families! Apparently, in the past only 30% of the employees help to purchase items for the families. I don't blame them, we already have families that our church, neighborhood, etc. adopt as it is.
But this year, we decided to do it a little bit differently. We let the office know the families they are helping, and what cancer they had, etc.

We did a bake sale to purchase a little extra (or if the presents weren't purchased, we'd use the bake sale money to purchase).

bake sale in the kitchen

It was such a big success! All the gifts wished for were purchased, and some beyond!

Look at all these amazing presents! These weren't even all of them either!!!!

I'm so proud to work for the company that I do, and so proud of my fellow employees who made this Christmas amazing for these amazing families!