“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
― Mother Teresa
Are you in the middle of Christmas overload?? I know I am. As much fun as I have decking my halls with holly jolly joyous glitter… and how much more fun I have cruising the shops and going overboard into a full drunken sailor spending spreeeee! I sometimes need to remind myself to reign it all in, and get back to the real reason of the season; the giving! Not just the giving of gifts, (which, OH do I sooooo LoVE!!!) but the giving back.
I can’t encourage you enough to spend a little time this season seeking out people or organizations that give back. Wether it be a donation of ham dinners for families in the community in need, a big pile of new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, a check to a group like Kids Around the World, dropping off some of your used work attire to a homeless shelter where people are trying to rebuild their lives, or, just keep things simple and purchase products that do some of the giving for you.
Our own accessories and footwear buyer, Tori Schwaner, came up with a simple idea to directly give back to a local organization that represents our lifestyle. A homemade Seastar ornament/home decoration crafted by members of the Hobie Team. “I thought it would be a simple way for us to get together as a Hobie family outside of work, and create something that could help our local community.” says Tori of the project. They were made using seastars, sand dollars, wire, and remnants of jewelry that has broken over the years. Since each one was handmade, no two are exactly alike. The ornaments retail for $12 and are available in all five shops. Every dollar of the $12 purchase price gets donated to The Ocean Institute’s Kids Education Program. Like Tori said, it is a simple way for us to make sure we are doing lots of giving during this season too!
So remember, as we are 11 days out from Santa jumping down our chimney and enjoying our cookies, take a look around your community and find the place where you would like to give back.
-Tracey Engelking
Hobie Surf Shop 