Commerce employee Masuda Medcalf, who has been involved with the Adopt A Native Elder Program for years, proudly shares the latest news about the program.
50 States for Good:
Growing good works one community at a time
Tom's of Maine has selected Adopt A Native
Elder Program as Utah's
state finalist in the Tom's of Maine 5 States for Good initiative, a national
program created by the leading natural products manufacturer to support the
goodness behind grassroots community projects. It features nonprofit finalists
from every state and invites the public to vote for six winning organizations
to share $150,000. Voting runs from Sept. 10-Oct. 9. Visitors can vote for one
finalist organization once per day. Vote at
www.Facebook.com/TomsofMaine.
FUNDING WILL HELP NAVAJO ELDER WEAVERS
LIVING IN REMOTE AREAS OF THE NAVAJO RESERVATION EARN MORE INCOME BY
SELLING RUGS AND JEWELRY AND CRAFTS AT FULL VALUE IN URBAN MARKETS; AND FOR
THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO WEAVE, ANE SPRING AND FALL FOOD RUNS HELP THEM
HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AT HOME IN BASIC
SAFETY, COMFORT AND SECURITY.
The "50 States for Good" seeks to uncover local nonprofit groups that
address urgent community needs and engage volunteers to get the work done.
ANE utilizes 200 volunteers, many working year round to plan their 23rd Annual
Rug Show and Sale, scheduled this year for November 2-4 in Deer Valley's Snow
Park Lodge. Weavers say of this event:
" I sold three rugs last night. I cried. I used to go miles and miles to
try to sell a rug and sometimes they didn't buy any." Volunteers
consign rugs during Food Runs to the reservation, through the mail, and 70
weavers are brought to the show to sell their rugs. The community helps supply
food and lodging for the weavers and their families. This year ANE is looking
for more condos to house Elders during the 5 days they are in town for the
show. To give back, Weavers conduct free hands on workshops for 500 local
school children two days prior to the show, and they demonstrate weaving
throughout the weekend show. The public is invited to come, $5 or canned food
entry Saturday and Sunday.
Non-profits from each state were selected for the "50 States" by an
independent panel of judges, featuring actor and environmentalist Ian
Somerhalder, Laura Burge of the social action network Care2.com, philanthropic
leader and Huffington Post columnist Lisa M. Dietlin and Sam Davidson,
president of Cool People Care. The public vote will determine six winning
organizations to share $150,000 in funding. The organization with the most
support will receive $50,000 in sponsorship funding, while five additional
organizations will each receive $20,000;
"We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our "50 States for
Good" finalists and their meaningful work," said Susan Dewhirst,
goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "We can't wait to see the
lasting impact of healthy, human and environmental goodness that will come from
funding our winning organizations' projects."
Tom's of Maine is a longtime supporter of community involvement programs
including clean waterways and greater access to affordable dental care, among
many other programs. In addition, since its inception, the company has
donated 10% of its profits back to the community.
About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and
personal care. TOMs sells high-quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss,
deodorant, bar soap, and body wash products. TOMs products are Kosher and Halal
certified. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people,
communities and the living planet. For over 40 years Tom's of Maine has
sponsored hundreds of non-profits by giving 10$ of its profits back to the
community and encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to
volunteer. Tom's of Maine employees regularly contribute suggestions for
improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ides, from
wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options are
critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Tom's of Maine
enjoys partnering with its consumers, vendors, and community organizations to
support lasting, positive change good for people and the planet. Visit us
online at
http://www.tomsofmaine.com or at
http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.
anelder.blogspot.com
Click here to read our previous post about the Adopt A Native Elder Program and Masuda's involvement with the program.
