Salvo Chat w/ Ann Nyberg

The Power of Bicycles

Bicycles become the vehicle of change and oh so much more...This is an incredible story of creative giving and it begins with Frederick K.W. Day's (co-founder of bicycle-component maker Sram) vision. Day believes that millions of desperately poor people, trapped by lousy infrastructure can achieve a better life through bicycles. He started World Bicycle Relief a charity that Day hopes will provide bicycles to millions of sub-Saharan Africans. These bikes are specially designed to withstand rugged terrain and carry up to 200 pounds of cargo, which is enough to provide farmers and other producers to carry their goods to market. This charity also espouses the "teach a man to fish..." philosophy by operating assembly areas and mechanic training courses within the region that the bikes are distributed.

You can read more about this charity at World Bicycle Relief or in this month's issue of Forbes magazine

HAPPY EARTH MONTH, Earth!

Come on people...How can something so vast, supporting soooo many life forms whilst putting up with so much crap from us, be given just one little day to call it's own? Shameful we say!

We taken it up ourselves here at GG2G to make it Earth Month. We have events happening through out the month to celebrate. You can check out our FaceBook page for details on all of the happenings, but here is a brief list to get your hybrid motor running:

Periodic Tee Give-Aways to benefit Farm Sanctuary

Fundraiser for the Garbage Museum, in Stratford, CT, April 7th.

Launching our brand new line called Salvo! Stay tuned for this one!

Making our first PBS debut on Shades of Green, check your local listing for times.

Heading to Eileen Fisher to learn about sustainability from one of the originators

Giving a little sustainability talk ourselves at New Haven Green Drinks. April 21st, Location TBD

Earth we hope that you like your presents and don't worry we used recycled wrapping paper.

FARM SANCTUARY

I can honestly tell you that reading Jonathan Safran-Foers book Eating Animals, changed my life. I've been a vegetarian for 35 years and, after reading this book I'm now a vegan. I feel an overwhelming need to take some action, as a result GG2G has a new and passionate mission -- that is to help the folks at Farm Sanctuary do what they do best -- work to end cruelty to farm animals and promote compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. They envision a world where the violence that animal agriculture inflicts upon people, animals and the environment has ended, and where instead we exercise values of compassion.

We feel so strongly about what they are doing that we are donating a 15% of the proceeds from the sale of our new GG2G Tees and a portion of sales from our new line called Salvo to Farm Sanctuary.

The design for the tees were a collaborative effort between artists Day Moore and Ryan Cyr and come in many styles and colors check out www.shopgg2g.com for the complete line up.

You can also help Farm Sanctuary by donating directly.

IN the BAG - Art Exhibition

The Art and Politics of the Reusable Bag Movement.

GG2G is honored to be invited to participate in this innovative, educational and thought provoking art event. Curated by Liz Milwe and Peter Wormser, this exhibition will delve into the art and politics surrounding the reusable plastic bag movement. 30 years after the environmentally devastating results of our overuse of plastic bags communities across the U.S. along with 33 countries around the world have ban plastic bags. This exhibition will display powerful and creative responses to this overuse. Artists, designers and cooperatives work will be on view along with statistic to drive home the impact of this late 1970's "convenience" - The

plastic bag.

When - Opening Reception: Thursday Jan. 28th, 6 - 8

Where - The Nathan Cummings Foundation

This show runs from Jan. 28 - April 23.

Please click here for more details or if you would like to attend the opening reception, an RSVP is kindly requested.

Oprah Magazine, CoverGirl and Mary Ann

The Get In Touch Foundation Founder and Executive Director, Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, has won The Oprah Magazine CoverGirl Giving Beautiful Back Award. Mary Ann’s inspirational story of how she gives beautiful back to the community will appear in the February 2010 issue of O Magazine. Way to go Mary Ann! Mary Ann is one of our neighbors and has worked diligently to bring her mission, which manifests itself in the form of The Get In Touch Foundation, is to encourage gals of all ages to “Get In Touch” with their bodies, information, and each other in our crusade against breast cancer. CONGRATULATIONS MARY ANN!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Shopping with a Purpose

You can find something for everyone this holiday season and feel good about giving -two fold.

Many of your favorite causes now offer much more than mugs and calendars emblazened with their logos. So take a moment to look over those wish lists to see if you can find those kind of gifts while giving to your or your recipient's cause. Here are a just a few that we love:

Born Free USA -  United with the Animal Protection Institute

Get in Touch Foundation - for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

The Human Society

And, what to give that someone who has everything, two words Hieffer International - Hieffer is working to end world hunger and poverty globally. It's the whole teach a man to fish philosophy at it's best and a gift that keeps giving. Be the first on your block to gift a water buffalo. We know that your a trendsetter, time to show the rest of the world.

Get in Touch Girl!

Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, executive director, founder, cancer kickin' survivor and health activist as well as one of our neighbors here in Milford started the Get In Touch Foundation after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her foundation encourages gals of all ages to “Get In Touch” with their bodies, information, and each other in a crusade against breast cancer. Mary Ann developed a fun ‘Daisy Wheel’, that explains the importance of breast self-examination and facts about breast cancer. She has also worked tirelessly to convince health educators nationwide the importance of "starting early". Mary Ann developed a program whereby health educations give out the ‘Daisy Wheel’, when girls are in grades 5-12 during health and hygiene classes.

October is national breast cancer awareness month and we wanted to give a well deserved shout-out to Mary Ann for all of her hard work and efforts on all of our behalves.

If you would like to donate to the Get In Touch Foundation click here

LOCAL PROUD

Buy local, buy local, buy local, at GG2G it's our mantra...and now you can get involved in Milford's own Local Proud campaign too! Check out the website, there are loads of good stats about what buying local means to the environment and to the community. Whether you are in Milford, CT or Macon, GA your can give back to your community simply by buying local. Everything from produce to platform shoes, if it's made or sold locally (in an independently owned store), it can make a difference Did you know that:

Studies show that dollars spent locally tend to stay local; local businesses contribute more to local non-profits and participate more in community life; and local independents demand less energy resources and public infrastructure.  A thriving local economy creates more opportunities for entrepreneurs and builds community economic strength for everyone. 

And that's just one of many statistics you'll find when you go to Milford Local Proud dot Com

MOD GREEN POD

How many times have you said to yourself and your BFF's "Why, oh, why does organic fabric have to be so blahhhhh?" It was, of course, rhetorical at that point but not so now -- Mod Green Pod has taken that oatmeal floating in a sea of beige and turned it on it's boring little head. Above are just some of the gorgeous fabrics that await you (and now wallpaper too). Their 100% organic cotton home textiles and wallpapers are US-made and follow Global Organic Textile Standards to help create a healthy home.

They also have a really groovy Room Creator page so that you can get a sense of scale before you purchase.