Happy Sunday Shout Out



Good Morning.  Happy Sunday.

Hope your week end is a good one.

I think some of you know that I have a Girlfriend Charity Christmas Party every year on the first Friday in December.

I started this about 8 years ago and would gather up all my girlfriends and we would get together to celebrate our friendships.  The catch to the party is that we would do a girlfriend gift exchange and each person had to buy a special gift that some or most of the proceeds went to a charity from purchasing the gift.

It amazes me each year the beautiful and thoughtful gifts each friend brings to the party for the exchange.

Everyone goes home with a great gift and touching story behind why the gift was purchased to benefit that particular charity.


It is a fun night of laughs, tears, hugs and celebrating the love we have for each other in friendship.

This year I found my gift for the party and also did a little more early Christmas shopping for gifts.

I have to give a shout out to this group because not only do they have a wonderful gift they also touch the lives of other women in need in so many ways.

I also grew up near where this company is located in Michigan.  I know that area well and this certainly is a great cause.

I want to share this with you so if you can think of anyone that you have on your gift list that might benefit from these lovely bags and know that your gift goes a long way to help so many others.


The company is called BetterLifeBags and is 
the vision of Rebecca Smith.
Rebecca also has a blog.

This is their Mission and a short video.
Enjoy learning about this company and it great cause.

The mission of Better Life Bags is simple:  make lives better!
My family and I moved on purpose to a low income area of Detroit  in 2010.  Because the unemployment rate here is 20%, we have an awesome opportunity for BLB to give back to the community that we operate out of!
We hire women, who otherwise cannot get jobs, to work for BLB.  We rent them a sewing machine and tools while teaching them a skill set that allows them to become a primary or secondary provider in their families.  Most of these women are first generation immigrants from countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, and Bangladesh, so we are also able to provide them with much needed fellowship and friendship as we visit their homes to deliver fabric and pick up orders.


This 90 second video shows a little of our town and purpose








That’s not all, though.  We are currently beginning a partnership with a local sewing group of women {originally from Bangladesh} who desire to learn the skill of sewing and potentially earn a living wage from their hard work and training. They currently make all of our Key FobsBuntings, and are learning how to make our Laptop Bags.

They have ready made bags for purchase and they also have custom bags that you can make up to your own taste.  I got a gift certificate for the person who wins my gift at this years party so they can custom make a wristlet or cell phone holder with their own choices.

Here are just a few samples of the bags.  Please visit their website to see all the lovely choices and think of gifts and know that you will be giving to a good cause.  Love gifts that keep on giving.









So please stop by Better Life Bags and check out all the wonderful choices of gifts in all price ranges.  Just know that by giving this gift to someone it will also be giving a gift to another person in need.

Shhhh hope they are not reading this but I did up gift certificates for my two daughters for a Christmas gift and they can then go and custom make up a beautiful bag for themselves.  So special and custom and also love that it gives back.

Have a great start to the new week.
Kris
:)

24 comments

  1. Kris these are great gift ideas. I'm going to visit the site now - thanks!

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    1. Hi Rita,
      They are for a great cause and very cute.
      Thanks for checking out the site.
      Kris

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  2. these are adorable--might just be perfect for my dil for xmas:) she would love to design it herself, i think. thanks for sharing, kris!

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  3. The bags are lovely and the concept is amazing. All too often groups of people just fall through the cracks so it's wonderful to know that someone is there to help these women. I love the idea of your girlfriend gathering too! xo jonni xo

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  4. Love the bags and the idea of the company, too, Kris!

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  5. Those are adorable. What a cute idea for a party. Love this. You are getting an early start on Christmas! Great job.

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  6. Those bags are very pretty and they are a great idea for gifts
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  7. What great ideas for bags and helping women. How great is that. Thanks for sharing this information. Will check it out.
    Mary

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  8. I really do like this idea you have used and am still liking about how I can incorporate it into a fun event here in AZ. Have a Super Sunday! Blessings, Cindy

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  9. Beautiful bags and a great cause...oh yeah that's right...Christmas.Can't believe it I guess I better start thinking about that!

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  10. God Bless You for passing this on, Kris!!! What a wonderful idea!
    Debbie
    xxoo

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  11. Kris, what a great company and a great idea for gifts! I'm going to check them out!
    Susan

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  12. Hi Kris, what a great company and wonderful idea for giving back through something we all love to use, a gorgeous bag. Thanks for sharing this and the link. Many blessings to you sweet friend and the joy you are spreading!
    Hugs

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  13. Kris,
    I find your charity donated friendship December party inspirational, Certainly a pay it forward creative idea. I will be checking out Better Life Bags, what a kind heart Rebecca has. Thanks for the shout out.
    XO,
    Vera

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  14. the gift that keeps on giving.......what a great and very thoughtful idea Kris!

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  15. Thank you for letting us know about this amazing ministry.

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  16. Hi Kris,
    I love your Christmas charity idea! How fun and inspiring! Just went to the site and watched the video. Thanks so much for highlighting such a wonderful company. Going to do a bit of shopping now....
    Kathleen

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  17. Thank you for sharing. Very inspiring...so many are GOOD out in our world and the MEDIA only tells us about the bad. Thank you for sharing some GOOD NEWS!
    Carla

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  18. I was introduced to these bags last year at the indy women's influence conference. They really are gorgeous. What a great idea!

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  19. Kris, what a wonderful idea you had. Not only to catch up with close friends but to support such a deserving cause. The bags are gorgeous and anyone that has Phillip Phillips singing their theme song can't get any better than that in my book..Happy Monday..Judy

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  20. Beautiful bags...beautiful charity....loved the video and of course the song is so very appropriate...bookmarking the site for Christmas ideas...

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  21. I love the idea of your party, Kris.
    Giving and giving back, while enjoying the company of the people you hold dear.
    I'll definitely check out the bags!
    xo

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  22. I love hearing about your annual party! I think that may have been the first of your posts I read a few years ago - sure am glad I found you! The bags and the idea behind them is wonderful! Can't wait to hear about this year's festivities! I'm sure it will be a great, fun time for all! Hugs, Leena

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  23. It all sounds like so much fun and special. And what a wonderful way to make it even more meaningful by giving back! You've inspired me to start a local group of creative ladies and friends in our isolated area. Thank you Kris and have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great time at your sweet gathering!
    Tamara <3

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