Bracelets for Good
With the events of this past week still fresh in our minds, perhaps now is a good time to think about how we, each of us, want to move forward with our lives. What ever side of the aisle you are on, or perhaps you are not sitting in any aisle at all, asking the question of how you want to live your life is a very valid one. If nothing else, this incredibly bizarre election may have forced us to think about what we believe in as well as initiate new depths of conversation.
It is a most appropriate time then to tell you about an organization I recently became aware of, and the great work they are doing.
In Kenya, The Samburu people are a nomadic tribe indigenous to the region. But back in the late 1990’s with 99% of the tribe unable to read, the biggest desire of the people was to see their children receive an education.
Thanks to a chance encounter in the bush of Kenya with New York advertising legend Jane Newman (a 2014 inductee into the Advertising Hall of Fame) Chief George of the Samburu Tribe expressed his wish. Jane returned to the U.S. and sought out the help of her friend, celebrated designer Clodagh (www.clodagh.com). Together they began the process of raising funds to pay for a pre-school and a teacher. Due to the climate there, the children learn under the shade of a thorn tree. Thus, The Thorn Tree Project was born.
Many years later, this not-for-profit has educated 1500 boys and girls, has established 12 pre-schools and three elementary schools, and they are most proud to report some of these children are on their way to college.
It is an extraordinary feat, and one that has truly changed the lives of hundreds of people in a far away land, which is not that far in today’s world.
What can you do to help on this amazing journey?
Buy a bracelet. The “Breakfast Bracelet” is so named because the fee for one bracelet (crafted by women of the Samburu tribe in Kenya) can purchase breakfast for one student for one year. The price is $25.00
What a great gift for the holidays or for any occasion. Each bracelet is not only colorful and beautiful, but more importantly, it provides sustenance for a child beginning a day of education.
For information on the bracelets, go to: http://thorntreeproject.org/bracelets/
There will be a fundraiser to support all the efforts of the Thorn Tree Project next Thursday, November 17.
To find out more about the event, how you can participate, and the amazing back story of The Thorn Tree Project, go to www.thorntreeproject.org
Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.
Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.
site says all sold out . . .
Thank you for your interest, L Sherman, and apologies for any confusion. The bracelets are available though a few variants are sold out (red and small blue – we’re working on replenishing our stock). Please use the drop down to choose different colors and sizes.
We see that the Out Of Stock banner stays on screen (especially using a phone to view the page) and we are working on that. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.