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.
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.
Click here to read our previous post about the Adopt A Native Elder Program and Masuda's involvement with the program.
