The snow is falling, taking with it the light yellow and amber hues of the aspen groves. As the white snow blankets the land, arrays of colors adorn stores and home fronts, feeding the growing excitement of the impending holidays. With window dressings garnered, from menorahs to Santa Claus, hues of reds, silvers, blues, oranges and greens, memories of favorite holidays arise, bringing realization that the holidays are indeed here.
The color green itself has reached far beyond the celebration of holidays; in today’s world the word ‘green’ is a hot topic. Living green, reducing our use of natural sources, and improving our environment are topics of daily discussion, from the workplace to the dinner table.
This particular holiday season may require a few of us to pinch more pennies than in recent years. So why not make those pennies count, by keeping your money in your community, and doing so in an environmentally friendly manner? A variety of local nonprofit organizations will gladly accept donations as ‘green gifts,’ to present to loved ones. These ‘green gifts’ can be as eclectic as the organizations involved in them, and will keep on giving, markedly, in your community. Be a ‘localvore’ and read up to see which best suits you or your loved ones.
Donation use and volunteer opportunities varies from group to group, so it’s important to check with your nonprofit of choice. With nonprofit organizations, your donations are tax-deductible. So this holiday season, feel good about the gift you give; give green, give local, live healthy, and be happy.
Missy Mohler, program director for SWEP (Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships), approached Moonshine Ink with this original idea for ‘green gift’ giving. She said the concept came up through a brainstorming session, involving SWEP members, with hopes that gift giving could bring greater awareness, greater community impact, greater ownership of local projects, and community reward.
‘SWEP is promoting our ‘Green Giving’ program as a way to increase the number of ‘Friends of SWEP’ while raising funds for a variety of local environmental projects with youth. This form of gift giving promotes local philanthropy, creates very little trash and gives directly back to the community. It is an opportunity for the gift receiver to be a part of a community based organization, where they might not on their own. For those wanting to give gifts that are meaningful and that are environmentally friendly, the ‘Green Gift’ program makes perfect sense,’ Executive Director of SWEP Christine McMorrow said.
Plans for the Green Gift project are still in the developmental stage; however, SWEP has been in touch with other organizations. ‘Everyone loves the idea!’ Missy said. ‘It is a great way to raise funds locally, reduce your carbon footprint, and to give a gift that has lasting value with far less waste than other gifts. Gifts can be tailored to a person’s interests, it can expose them to something new within their community, or get them involved in an unexpected way.’
‘Donations are used for new program development and for teacher or community-partner initiated projects,’ Missy said.
‘Right now we are fundraising for the Winter Discovery Program, which is currently under development and a pilot program will be run this winter at Tahoe Cross Country.’
According to Missy, SWEP will give the ‘green gift’ givers a receipt of their donation, while receivers get a gift card featuring student artwork and updates on where the money went. ‘Donors can also specify whether the donation goes specifically towards watershed education versus restoration or sustainability,’ she said.
SWEP can be contacted at 530-525-9457, by email, Christine@4swep.org, and additional information regarding the gift program and organization can be found at 4swep.org.
Missy also mentioned another local holiday program, the Alternative Christmas Faire, in Truckee. The event, sponsored by Truckee Lutheran Presbyterian Church, is to be held Saturday, Nov. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Truckee Donner Public Utility District Board Room. The event features hand-carved crafts, purchased directly by Asante Network, a member of The Fair Trade Federation, which connects both Miichi Women’s Group, from Tanzania, and NEEPU (National’s Effort to Eradicate Poverty in Uganda) Women’s Group in Uganda to viable U.S. markets.
Selling products such as baskets, batik and tie-dyed textiles, hand-carved crafts provides money to help feed families, school children, and support AIDS orphans. For information contact Edie Lott, 530-582-5362 or thelotts@gmail.com.
If you’re an animal lover, the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe welcomes help of any kind. Stephanie Hiemstra, HSTT executive director, said donations aid in the support and improvement, of domesticated animals.
The HSTT is dependent upon community support, and thankful for what is provided. The animals sheltered there are a part of the local community, and need the same provisions as house pets.
‘We rely on our community to help us save 100 percent of the homeless dogs and cats in our community. Thanks to incredibly supportive people, we are able to provide these animals with everything they need while they await their forever home,’ Stephanie said.
‘Besides monetary donations and donations of dog/cat treats, toys, food and beds, we are always looking for people to give the gift of their time,’ she added.
Stephanie explains whenever someone makes a ‘gift’ donation in honor of someone, the honoree is sent a beautiful picture of an animal saved from the shelter, while the donor receives a letter acknowledging his or her gift for his or her tax purposes. The HSTT can be reached at 530-587-5948, email donations@hstt.org or make a donation through hstt.org.
During the Christmas season especially, the HSTT works in cahoots with Tails By The Lake on a gift drive. According to Stephanie, most gift donations, at that time, involve gifts, treats and toys for cats and dogs. For more information regarding Tails By The Lake and the gift drive, visit tailsbythelake.com. (See sidebar for more animal welfare organizations.)
If you’re looking to get involved with children, definitely check out the new nonprofit organization Remix, which focuses on empowering foster youth. According to Gia States, Remix founder and director of development, the group plans to empower foster youth to voice their opinion, take risks, and dream in a safe, supportive environment provided by the wilderness in the Truckee-Tahoe region. The program targets 14 to 21 year-old young adults living in foster care, or who’ve recently emancipated, and takes them on a three-week adventure.
Self-motivation is key, so students must apply, and interview. The syllabus includes six programs that will put the youth right in front of self-challenge, encouraging them to personally reach higher, while also supporting their peers. With a proposed July 2009 launch date, Remix would like to raise enough funds for three years of retreats.
Gia has created a unique holiday fundraising idea – a gorgeous, stylish, and inspiring calendar, entitled ‘Soul Beautiful.’ The calendars, which feature original photography and design from a variety of people, are printed on 50 percent post-consumer, recycled paper. Unforgettable smiles and sparkling personalities sit alongside timeless quotes. Calendars are $20 each, with all proceeds benefiting Remix, and can be found in Wild Cherries Coffee House, True Skin Spa, Fair & Green, Full Circle Movement, The Bookshelf, Paper Paradise, Mountain Kids, For Goodness Sake, The Feather’s Edge Finery, Jackass Ridge Ranch, Cutting Edge Designs by Kurina, and Jazzercise-Lisa Panziera. 530-545-1413, gia@soulbeautiful.org, soulbeautiful.org.
If you wish to help the hungry this winter season, Project MANA (Making Adequate Nutrition Accessible), is a hunger relief organization serving the North and West Shores of Tahoe and Truckee.
With our economy in the depressed state it is, George LeBard, executive director for Project MANA, believes to strengthen our community locally we need a greater ‘awareness of our fragile environment and the relationship to our economy.’
While current economic stress is hitting your homes, it’s always causing strife on those in dire situations. With a cold winter rapidly approaching, community members, and their donations, are the key to a productive and healthy winter for Project MANA.
‘The majority of donations are used for buying fresh produce, food for clients on restricted diets, to support our AmeriCorps program and general operating expenses’ George said. ‘All donors receive a response letter and their names are included in our quarterly newsletter.’ Project MANA is based in Incline Village, 775-298-0008 or 530-582-4079,georgel@projectmana.org, www.projectmana.org.
The Sierra Business Council, a region-wide organization, homegrown in Truckee, seamlessly fits in the green scheme, with their reputation as the sustainability organization of the Sierra Nevada. With a firm belief in supporting local economies, right now, they are actively promoting pilot ‘Local First Campaigns’ that they hope to bring to the whole Sierra.
‘Our mission stands behind a shift in the way people do business, a shift that raises the bar when it comes to social fairness, economic prosperity, and environmental health,’ Nikki Streegan, a SBC regional project manager, said. ‘Buying items locally significantly reduces environmental impact through driving time and carbon emissions and supporting a peer-to-peer network of locally owned businesses within a community. Business associations such as Tahoe City Downtown Association have been exceptionally wonderful at promoting this concept.’
The holiday season is the ideal time to get involved in a program like Local First. Nikki summed it up, ‘It’s true a cultural shift in caring about one’s community gives people a natural incentive to care about other things, like the environment.’ Located in Truckee, 530-582-4800, sbcouncil.org.
More Organizations To Consider:
Wylie Animal Rescue Providing safe and loving homes for animals for animals destined for euthanasia, while providing education on responsible pet care, located in Incline Village, 775-833-2319, info@tahoewarf.com.
Pet Network
Preventing adoptable animals from euthanasia, bringing together abandoned animals with loving homes, providing education and promotion of quality of life through animal companionship, also located in Incline Village, 775-832-4404, info@petnetwork.org.
Truckee/North Tahoe Transportation Management Association
Dedicated to fostering public-private partnerships and resources for promotion of solutions to the unique transportation challenges of the area, TART 800-736-6365 or TNT/TMA 530-581-3992, tnttma@sbcglobal.net.
Squaw Valley Institute
An organization of residents, businesses, and visitors devoted to promoting programs with artistic, cultural and educational values, based in Olympic Valley, 530-581-4138, info@squawvalleyinstitute.org.
KidZone Museum
A children’s museum in Truckee, geared toward families with children age 7 and under, promoting a child’s curiosity with a variety hands-on of activities, in Truckee, 530-587-KIDS(5437), info@kidzonemuseum.org.
Truckee Trails Foundation
A group of community-minded people focused on developing local trail and bikeway systems, in Truckee, 530-587-8214, j.svahn@truckeetrails.org.
Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation
Amongst other things, the Parasol Foundation’s Donald W. Renolds Community Nonprofit Center is a place where organizations meet for common good, sharing offices, meeting space, services, resources and ideas, in Incline Village, 775-398-0100, info@parasol.org.
Truckee River Watershed Council
Collaborative solutions to protect, enhance, and restore the Truckee River Watershed, in Truckee, 530-550-8760, info@truckeeriverwc.org.
