Looking for a little morning inspiration to get your kids dressed and out the door? Try an organic cotton tee that gives back—and looks great doing it. Then take your cereal conversation to another level and talk about what these shirts are doing for kids in third-world countries.
Case in point? Rain Tees are super-stylish, fair-trade, organic cotton, eco-dyed shirts handmade in Peru. They’re designed with participation of kids in regions of Central and South America where the rainforest is threatened, and for each tee sold a child in the region gets a tree to plant to replace one that’s been destroyed in their homeland. And these aren’t just meaningless designs: “Monkey Bridge” is named for special bridges constructed by children participating in a nonprofit effort in Costa Rica to give endangered monkeys a way to cross busy roads safely, and “Hummingbird” honors the more than 300 species of hummingbirds living in Central and South America.
All the better as conversation starters when your kids wear them to school.
Similarly, the organic cotton Sustainable Tees (and hoodies) benefit Children’s Village, part of the non-profit Hands & Feet Project, which supports orphaned children in Haiti with food, shelter and support. For each ridiculously cool tee sold (check out the collared EcoWarrior riff on the classic Polo), Sustainable donates $1.50 directly to the organization. But then they take it to another level. Each time you buy a tee, you’re given a postage-paid box addressed to the Village. Help your kids fill it with toys, books and personal care items (toothbrushes, soap, etc.) and pop it in the mail for a quick-and-easy way to demonstrate social activism that’s easy and fun.
Buying a shirt equals supporting a kid who’s less fortunate: It’s an equation that even your kindergartener can understand.
www.raintees.com
www.sustainable-kids.com
For more to talk about, check out Enzoology, a science and conservation show created by Enzo, the most awesome eight-year-old we’ve ever met. Virtually.
Prefer books to video? For facts, try How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming. For fiction, Curse of the Bone Pirates is an eco-focused tale for kids ages 8-12 that donates $1 from every book to Healthy Child Healthy World.
Either way, you’ll inspire a conversation to take you through dinner. Well done.
--Natasha Garber
Natasha Garber is the former editor of Los Angeles Family magazine. Currently, she is a freelance contributing editor for Special Events Magazine and a contributor to numerous lifestyle publications across the country, where she covers green events and event planning, sustainable catering and cuisine, fashion and design trends. A mother of two and passionate proponent of eco-conscious family living, Natasha lives, writes, parents, plays and makes fresh, organic, totally delicious baby food (just ask her 6-month-old) in Los Angeles.