▎❝ Shopping for a cause & how you can do it for ones you believe in. ❞

The season of giving is upon us once again and it’s time to talk about spreading magic to make life a little better for others. I would argue that every season should be spent this way but sadly, Christmas seems to be the only time people feel comfortable being outwardly magnanimous to one another. That’s not to say that generosity doesn’t happen all year round but you never really hear about it much, do you—unless there’s some major catastrophe? It’s only when frost bites at our heels do we stop and think about the less fortunate and consider how we might be able to help.

My mother has raised me to understand that no matter how little we might have, there’s always someone out there who has less and that if we have more—even if it’s just one cent more, we should help that person if we can. She explained to me that her mother, Pamela, taught her the same values and that she’d learned these lessons of humility, gratefulness, and munificence in the bomb shelters of Plymouth during World War II when you had to help one another or die. There’s never been a time where ma told me I couldn’t donate to a cause or give to someone I saw on a street corner—she never said no regardless of our family’s financial situation at the time.

Giving back

Giving back is close to my heart, as I have personally experienced the profound impact of kindness from unlikely places and strangers. Life has a way of throwing challenges our way, and during some of my darkest moments, I found solace in the generosity of others. These moments of compassion have left an indelible mark on me. I don’t often share the details of the hardships that I have endured due to a “the sun will rise again” attitude, but I think stories like mine are important to remind us why we give in the first place. When I reflect on these experiences, I am reminded that true humanity often comes when we least expect it. It has taught me that everyone has their own battles, and sometimes, a small act of generosity can shift the trajectory of someone’s entire life. My journey has instilled in me a sense of gratitude and a burning desire to pay it forward any way that I can whether it be through donations, baking something sweet, or simply making someone laugh and forget their troubles.

When I was eight years old, my family had just left everything behind to move south to Georgia for my father’s new job with Airtran Airways. After 9/11, things weren’t the same for pilots and many airlines faced difficulties that resulted in him leaving US Airways as a Captain after 20 years for greener pastures. That also meant moving us with him to a place I’d never been and establishing an entirely new way of life in the deep south—and I do mean deep, ya’ll. Our town was so small, I think they let tractors vote and the natural fauna was tumbleweed. Everything was stained red from the clay and the language barrier was so real I felt the desperate need for a translator.

We were only there a month and we’d literally just unpacked the very last box when a thunderstorm ripped through that small little town like it was nothing and the lightening struck our new house. I tried to tell my mother that I saw electricity come inside but she didn’t believe me and then when I told her I smelled smoke, she also didn’t believe me until she came to stand where I was. After that it was a blur of mayhem trying to get out of that burning house alive with as many of our possessions and pets as we could. My dad was due back from a trip that afternoon and came home to an incredibly well done chicken my mother had been thawing on the deck reduced to ash in the midst of everything that we ever owned. It was a total loss and nothing could be saved but what I miss most are the memories and souvenirs that can never be replaced—like everything you’d ever known had been erased in a single afternoon and suddenly you were someone entirely new with no past or identity. The fire was so hot that the firefighters couldn’t completely put out the smoldering beams from the basement so they dug a deep trench in our back yard and buried them to stop the flames.

We had no family, we had no friends, we had no earthly possessions, and we had no house. Homeless in foreign territory, we were in shock. But do you know what we did have? The kindness of strangers. The American Red Cross—an organization we still donate to—showed up immediately with help for us and though we didn’t know anyone in that small southern town, they did their best to help us too as best they could. The school that I attended back north heard about what happened and they did a fundraiser for my family within the month. Without that kind of support, we wouldn’t have been able to endure and even now, I’m still eternally thankful to anyone who ever cared enough to pray for us let alone help us get back on our feet. Luckily things have improved for my family with very hard work, savings, and years of dedication to rebuilding our lives from the ashes. We’re now in a position where we can be those people for others in need.

Online Charity shops

Regardless of what causes are nearest and dearest to your heart—be they animal welfare, humanitarian efforts, natural disaster relief, or any other noble endeavor—giving back is essential for creating a positive impact in our world and we should always strive to leave things better than we found them. This notion strikes a personal chord with me, as my commitment to humanitarian work blossomed from my own experiences of feeling lost and helpless. Attending fundraisers, galas, and charity events is a wonderful way that I support causes, yet my favorite approach to giving back comes in an unexpected form: shopping. Yes, I find happiness in the idea that each purchase I make can contribute to the greater good, whether it’s through ethical brands that donate a percentage of proceeds to charity or by choosing local businesses that support community initiatives! It’s a delightful reminder that we can intertwine our everyday lives with acts of kindness, transforming the mundane into meaningful progress that resonate far beyond the shopping cart.

When it comes to online charity shopping, one platform stands out for its dedicated approach: Ebay. Ebay not only allows users to buy and sell items but has also carved out a niche for charity shops, making it easy for shoppers to find products that support various causes. The specific section for charity listings underscores Ebay’s commitment to philanthropy and social good, making it an essential destination for anyone looking to shop with a purpose. Personally, my experiences with purchasing items for charitable causes have predominantly taken place on Ebay, with one memorable exception—a sophisticated silver clutch handbag from supermodel and actress, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s wardrobe that supported the Dress for Success initiative through her partnership with Vestiaire Collective. Dress for Success helps underemployed and unemployed women get better jobs and wages across the U.K so I was happy to support it! You can read all about the campaign here if you’re interested.

What sets Ebay apart is its distinctive visual cue for charity listings: the blue and yellow ribbon next to item titles. This feature is invaluable, as it immediately lets shoppers know that their purchase will contribute to a charitable cause. Whether you’re in search of vintage clothing, handmade crafts, or household items, the ribbon makes it easy to navigate through Ebay’s vast marketplace and focus your efforts on supporting nonprofit organizations. This simple yet easy way of highlighting charity items has benefited my online shopping experience by allowing me to contribute to meaningful causes while enjoying the thrill of the hunt for unique items.

Every year I combine my holiday gift shopping with a philanthropic causes, ensuring that my contributions warm both the hearts of my loved ones and those in need. For Christmas, I always get gifts for my family from charity sellers on Ebay and I happily share the information about that particular cause or organization on Christmas morning over hot coco when no one is awake yet and everyone wishes I would zip it. I will be talking about two charities close to my heart in particular for the sake of keeping this post reasonable in length but I will also explain how you can use Ebay to find your own personal causes to shop for in the hopes that you too can combine your love of shopping with your love of giving!

Save A Suit

The first charity that I will discuss is Save A Suit, an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and service members as they transition into civilian life. Save A Suit provides veterans and service members with the appropriate clothing needed to achieve job security. Unfortunately, many veterans face challenges in securing employment after completing their service, and Save A Suit aims to empower them by ensuring they have access to suitable clothing that helps them make a strong first impression during job interviews. The initiative not only promotes job security but also fosters a sense of pride and dignity, allowing these veterans to still feel confident in their pursuit of new opportunities after sacrificing so much. Save A Suit is based out of Connecticut and you can check out their website here.

Now, I stumbled across Save A Suit’s store on Ebay entirely on accident and I will link it. Not only is it a charity but it’s a bougie charity that sells second hand designer items at amazing prices? Well, of course I was elated! My father was an airline pilot for over 35 years where his every outfit was a prescribed uniform so when he retired, the man had no clothes and I’m not exaggerating—his closet was a wasteland. He was in the process of getting hired with the FAA so he would need something to wear and naturally he turned to the most stylish strawberry blonde he knew to help him. This was how my tradition of buying clothing for my dad from Save A Suit began. Without giving away too much personal information, I have spent well over $300 in the time I’ve been shopping from this store and their decent prices made it possible for me to get my father an entire wardrobe for a fraction of the cost it would’ve been for me to shop anywhere else and not only that, but I got quality designer items that I know will stand the test of time and aren’t cheaply made—these are good suits!

Another thing that’s fabulous about Save A Suit is that there are no questions about the condition of their items which anyone whose bought second hand already knows can be risky business especially when shopping online. They disclose every blemish of their items upfront so you’re not surprised and they have never misrepresented anything to me. One time when I was buying a blazer, it was marked as a regular cut but I later got a message from them saying that when they were getting ready to ship it, they did some quick last minute re-measuring to make sure it was good and they found that it was actually an athletic cut rather than regular. Rather than send it to me anyway and run the risk of it not fitting it’s intended recipient, they apologized immediately and offered me the option to either refund or exchange. I chose to exchange and was even happier with the second item than I was the original! I also appreciate that Save A Suit tells you what the suit you’re buying would retail for if you were buying it new because as someone who knows a lot about designer fashion, it was hard to convince my dad just how good of a deal I’d gotten him until he saw it himself.

This is truly an amazing company that I’m so happy exists! I don’t have anything negative to say about them and I have been shopping with Save A Suit for over three years now. My dad has been thrilled with everything I’ve gotten him and recognizes the good quality and condition despite the fact that I got these items second hand. He is also an ardent supporter of Veteran’s causes which only adds to his excitement whenever he receives a gift under the tree from Save A Suit. Keep in mind that Save A Suit has regular sales and when they do, they’re fantastic sales! I know sometimes companies say that they run deals and it’s only a small percentage off but Save A Suit is not one of them so keep an eye on their shop and maybe follow them. Just as examples of what I mean; I got a Burberry Men’s Plaid Wool Blazer that retailed new for $3,498 for $78.06 and I got an Oscar De La Renta Men’s Gray Suit that retailed new for $795 for $49.06. Don’t forget to shop Save A Suit for the men in your life to benefit the heroes that keep us safe!

Whiskers Rescue

The second charity I will be mentioning is Whisker’s Rescue, an amazing organization based out of New Jersey dedicated to the welfare of our feline friends. Whisker’s Rescue works tirelessly to provide a safe haven for cats in need, whether they are abandoned, neglected, or simply stray. Their mission goes beyond mere rescue and daily care; they are committed to rehabilitation, medical care, and stopping the cycle of cats being born out in the wild through spay and neuter initiatives so that the cats that are already here can get the love and attention they deserve and kitten births are controlled so they don’t suffer out in the streets as strays. I think this approach is very smart because even though I would happily take in any cat that needed a home, it’s not logistically possible to always do that and also, if a cat is already feral and has been for a long time, it can sometimes be even more harmful for them to suddenly get a home because of stress as sad as it is to think. Supporting local adoptions is something I’ve always done and will continue to do but the idea of stopping the cycle at the root of the problem is such a hopeful mission to be apart of!

As a devoted advocate for all things feline, it should come as no surprise that I thoroughly support Whisker’s Rescue and their invaluable work. Every cat, with its unique personality and story, deserves a chance at a happy and fulfilling life and if we can stop kittens from being born vulnerable into unforgiving streets, it would do so much good for our communities—both human and animal. This organization not only helps these adorable babies but also promotes awareness about cat welfare and responsible pet ownership as it relates to spaying and neutering. Living out in the country, I have seen way too many “Free Kitten” signs. Every spring and summer, my parents dread the day they’ll get a call because I saw one and am insistent we do something crazy like take them all. Each of my cats are rescues and this topic is very dear to me. I got my twins, Luna and Lana, as malnourished 8 week old kittens and shudder to think of what may have happened to them had I not snatched them from the barn they were living in on the side of a busy road. After Luna and Lana, I rescued little Lilian who despite having been rescued by a local shelter before coming to me, had been traumatized and sick. If we had better control over the population and cared more for our strays, this would be a less likely occurrence.

It’s for my devotion to cats and the love of my girls that I shop jewelry from Whiskers Cat Rescue’s Ebay store. Afterall, it’s my two favorite things—jewelry and cats! I have only recently found this charity and it was just in time for my mother’s birthday! I got her a large statement white topaz cocktail ring with the intention of being a return customer granted the service was good. The ring came quickly, wrapped well, and included a flyer about the medical care for a kitten that my purchase helped provide. Sold! I was so sold on this company, you don’t even know! For my birthday, I asked for a few things from Whisker’s Rescue and my mother delivered like the icon she is. I received 2 pearl brooches and 1 natural citrine cocktail ring which were just as described (pictured in the post picture). Apparently my mom went to order something else from them and I guess there was an issue with finding it so they refunded her without any hassle but honestly? Fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for better and I will be a loyal customer to Whisker’s Rescue as I’ve been to Save A Suit.

In addition to selling jewelry on Ebay for cats, Whisker’s Cat Rescue also takes jewelry donations to sell in their shop. I need to go through my jewelry so you can bet that I’ll be donating some of my personal pieces when I finally get around to cleaning out my vault. It’s also worth noting that Whiskers sells all kinds of jewelry whether it be costume, vintage, or gemstone. They offer a vast variety of sizes when it comes to their rings—I know this because I have very small fingers and struggle to find shops that sell the size I need so this is something I pay attention to. They have great prices and service! If you’re working with a particular budget, don’t worry—you’ll be able to find something! Their inventory is vast and spans almost a hundred pages last time I looked. They have a lot of pearls and natural stones for my fellow classic jewelry girlies. The low prices and high inventory make this the perfect place to shop for those small, sentimental gifts for the important women in your life. Maybe snatch up on a secret santa gift!

Finding your own causes

When it comes to shopping for a cause, Ebay has made it super easy and quick to search for charity shops using this special search engine on their website. You can browse organizations that matter the most to you and focus on giving back to the communities of your choosing in a meaningful way that also helps you knock out some of that holiday shopping—though I encourage you to shop for a cause all year long and not just during the holidays.

In closing, I will leave you with two last pro tips to get you started shopping. Goodwill locations actually have online Ebay stores as well! I don’t know if it’s all of them or just some but I saw a Kate Spade handbag being sold from Goodwill Minneapolis the other day so if you don’t have time or want to go in person to your local Goodwill, you can still shop them online through Ebay! Also know that handbags are some of the most popular items that I’ve seen sold for charity if that’s our niche. For example, I got a vintage Judith Leiber clutch for Christmas two years ago that benefited The Defining Moment Foundation which works in the fields of substance abuse prevention, anti-bullying, relapse therapy. You’ll stumble across random charity shops for miscellaneous causes ever so often whether you use the special search or the regular search but use the charity-specific search to narrow it down and shop purposefully!

I have purchased from several other charity shops on Ebay so I will probably be making another post about this in the future but for now, this one served as a lovely and much needed introduction to the topic of shopping for charity. I hope that everyone will consider doing this at least once especially during this holiday season when there’s plenty of gifting to be done! Share this post and tips with your family and friends! Let’s try to make the holiday season just a little bit brighter for others using the power of consumerism. Sending my love to all kind hearts out there as the weather gets colder and we settle into winter!

Note: I am not in any way affiliated with any of the organizations mentioned in this post, I am only speaking as a customer of these shops and nothing more. I was not given any incentives to write this and my opinions are all my own based on my experiences.