Charities For Kids

by Rebecca M Gruber

Bring out the apron – the Garner-Affleck household is cooking! Jennifer Garner joined some local Hollywood minichefs to whip up some healthy treats at the launch of the Frigidaire Kids' Cooking Academy yesterday, and we were there! The actress, and mom of our readers' choice for the most stylish tot of the year, is working with Chef Mary Sue Milliken to inspire families to cook more nutritiously. Each time a parent signs up to receive the duo's daily kid-friendly cooking tips through the Academy, Frigidaire will donate $1 toward Save the Children's campaign to bring healthy food to underprivileged children.

We spoke with Violet and Seraphina's mama about encouraging healthy eating at home, the best parenting advice she ever received, and her upcoming Valentine's Day plans. Check it out below!

by Heather Maddan

Your baby can roll like a rock star and in Gwen Stefani's Bugaboo! The L.A.M.B. designer created a signature buggy to benefit the Global Fund. The singer's autographed Chameleon will be put to auction on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The winning bid (which will be announced on Sunday, December 5) will be donated to eliminate AIDS in Africa. The celebrity mama's one-of-a-kind stroller won't blend in with the rides at the park as it features a floral and graffiti carriage and leather detailing. Check out the details below and then head over to Bugaboo to bid!

by Rebecca M Gruber

David Holdridge is helping impoverished children, one blanket at a time. After seeing his younger sisters have tea parties with their baby blankies and stuffed animals, the then 7-year-old Clevelander came up with an idea to combine them into a product that would make kids happy. From there, Happy Blankie (ranging from $32 - $128), a line of adorable, oversized throws was born. With help from his mom, the "one to love, one to give" idea of giving matching blankets to charities was born. I recently spoke with the precocious entrepreneur about his endeavor.

LilSugar: The one-to-love, one-to-give philosophy is inspiring. How did it come about?
David Holdridge: I just thought it was a good idea and Tom's shoes was a good inspiration for us, because they have the buy a pair of shoes, give one pair away program. I thought it would help me make babies happy around the world.

LS: What is the best part of having founded Happy Blankie?
DH: I know that I am the one who puts the smiles on the children’s faces.

LS: What would you say to other kids who are looking to help others?
DH: I think they could start with simple things like picking up litter or cleaning up trash (in their communities).

To read about what's next for the busy kid, read more

by Rebecca M Gruber

It's not all about sneaking food for Jessica Seinfeld! The mom of three – Sascha, 9, Julian, 7, and Shephard, 5, – devotes much of her time to Baby Buggy, the charity she founded nine years ago to provide children's clothing and gear to low-income families.

Following the organization's layette collaboration with Target, Baby Buggy has partnered with Petit Tresor for a second collection. Through the holiday season, 10 percent of the sale of onesies ($17 for three), stretchies ($10), blankets ($17), and hats ($3) will go directly to the organization. I talked to Jessica about the collection.

LilSugar: How did you come to work with Petit Tresor for the new Target collection?
Jessica Seinfeld: It’s a beautiful, luxurious, high-end store, and we thought they’d be such a great partner in this collaboration. It’s so nice when you see something at the high-end and to bring it down to a much more affordable place. Target is masterful at creating affordable lines and we thought Petit Tresor – with its very high-end cache – would translate well. I must admit it’s gorgeous. The fabric is unbelievable — it washes very well, it wears very well — and when my children were very young, I would have loved to have had this kind of option.

LilSugar: What do you do to instill a sense of charity in your children?
Jessica Seinfeld: I grew up with a mother who is a social worker. And she still works with victims of crime and walks them through the court process and through a very hard time in their lives and so those were the values I grew up with — always volunteering. My parents didn’t have a lot of money, but somehow my mother always made it a priority that we were helping others and that’s the only way I know how to live. I wouldn’t know how to raise my children any other way.

by babysugar

Think of it as Toms Shoes for books. While store shelves are flooded with kids' shirts bearing messages, Booda Brand tees do a bit more. The wise words on the garments are meant to inspire tots, and the company's philanthropic commitment ensures that kids are making a difference. For each shirt ($32) or onesie ($30) sold, Booda Brand donates a book to a child in need through Room to Read.
The collection of six sweet, unisex designs are all printed on 100 percent organic cotton and colored naturally with vegetable dyes. The words "I will make a difference" are subtly emblazoned on the back of each shirt.

by POPSUGAR Moms

Americans worry about their kids becoming the best and the brightest, but for some Cambodian children school isn't an option. Education is free, but many impoverished families cannot pay the $20 a year for their youngster's uniform and supplies. CNN reported:

Cambodia is one of the poorest nations in the world, where about 40 percent of the population of 14.7 million live off less than $1.25 a day, according to World Bank.

The Ponheary Ly Foundation is trying to change that. Started by Ponheary Ly, a Cambodian teacher and tour guide, and Lori Carlson, a Texan who met Ly while vacationing, the charity benefits thousands of children.

by babysugar

It looks like more than one of Sir Paul McCartney's daughters has a hand in tot design. Following lil sis Stella's two sold out collections with BabyGap, the musician's eldest daughter, Mary, has created adorably chic charity tees.

A noted photographer like her late mother, Mary McCartney designed two unisex print t-shirts ($31) with the Danish children's wear company Mini A Ture. The organic cotton, loose leaf-looking shirts both feature hand-drawn birds and sweet, uplifting phrases in newborn through big kid sizes. Proceeds from the sale of both shirts will go to a small orphanage in India, Sunway Children's Home. The cute basics will only be available for a limited time in the UK so fans will have to order fast!

by babysugar

Give dad twice the sweetness this Father's Day with a treat that satisfies the stomach and gives to those in need. Based on the traditional concept of a fund-raising bake sale, Baking for Good sells fresh, all natural baked goods to benefit non-profit groups. The New York City bakery has moved business online so fifteen percent of each product sold raises funds for the customer’s favorite social or community cause.

Just in time for Father's Day, Baking for Good is introducing a dad package of individually wrapped frosted sugar cookies ($30 per dozen). Order a set for June 20th and choose a charity that Pop supports like the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation or the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association.

by POPSUGAR Moms

Payton wished for a pirate ship playhouse, Dalton wished for a voice and Kaitlyn wished to meet the Jonas Brothers. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted them all.

The charity that helps terminally ill children achieve their dreams is partnering up with pediped to raise funds. Between now and July 11, fifty percent of the proceeds from select pediped shoes (including the Flex line) will benefit the foundation. The kicks range from $15 - $40 so they are a reasonable price for mamas looking to cover their kiddos' feet and teach their children the joy of giving.