So we are officially listening to Christmas Music in my house. The first round of holiday decorations are up, and my kids are chomping at the bit for the Advent Calendar to make its appearance. I know I say this every month, but I can hardly believe it’s practically the end of 2018! But, like many of you, I’m sure, it’s my favorite time of the year. I’m here for cozy days, hygge everything, and putting my many, many (many), mugs to good use. Lately, I’ve been obsessing over creamy maple + milk lattes in my super cozy organic mugs by MudLOVE / The Heartland Collection. It also happens to be another brand that I’m featuring as a part of my Brands that Do More series.
Brands that Do More
Several months back introduced you to this series [here]. The Brands that Do More series is an ongoing project in which I’ll feature brands that not only make stellar products but also go above being clean, nontoxic or eco-friendly. These brands also have a philanthropic component to their business model. I value philanthropy, and I have a whole hell of a lot of respect for brands that are willing to do more to make this world a better place by supporting organizations that do just that.
Truthfully most of the brands that I shop these days have some philanthropic component attached to their mission because I have made that a priority in my shopping. But there are some brands that not only donate to causes as a part of their philanthropy, but that make giving back to their community or making the world a better place a key driver in their business plan. I’m hoping to share more brands that do this so that we can all do a little more putting our money where our mouth is.
So now let me introduce you to MudLOVE.
Full Disclosure: This post is a sponsored collaboration with MudLOVE, but as always my opinions are 1000% my own. Also, you know I like to share the love, so stick around for a chance to win a little MudLOVE of your own.
MudLOVE
I discovered MudLOVE back in March and immediately knew that I wanted to feature them as a Brand That Does More. I believe I learned about them through a World Water Day promotion and it just made sense. For context, the reason it “just made sense” is because my children literally get me a new mug for at least one holiday (often more) a year. Yes, I have quite an extensive collection, it’s a bit of a love language for me because I’m a coffee/tea drinker extraordinaire. In fact, I even prefer to drink my water throughout the day in a mug. When I saw the quality of the MudLOVE Pottery, specifically The Heartland Collection (featured here) I knew I needed them in my stash.
MudLOVE started in a garage in 2009 with one man, a box of clay, some old pottery stamps, and the desire to support clean water projects in Africa. Over the years, as the passion for change grew so did MudLOVE team. The Founder, Luke Wright, married his wife Whitney, who owns her own jewelry company, and MudLOVE continued to grow and change. Now that original garage studio space is the home of a MudLOVE retail shop and the Belove gift shop. So yes, in addition to beautiful home goods, you can also find handmade bracelets and necklaces, like the perfectly simple black droplet necklace I’m wearing.
More than Mugs
As you can see I have a bit of a thing for these Organic Mugs in the Heartland collection. I’ve got them in three colorways: Rhubarb (pink), Sweet Tea (brown), and Cottonwood (cream/white), but I must admit I’m now eyeballing this sweet little green number (Honeydew). I also have the Organic Vase in cottonwood, which I’ve used to hold both the flowers my son collects while at Nature Preschool, and wooden spoons. I just switched it out for Holly since I wanted to bring a pop of holiday into my office. This is just the beginning of the more conscious home goods that I’m bringing into my home. The goal, to be thoughtful, support small businesses, and have most of the money I spend having a positive global impact.
With MudLOVE you’ll find excellent quality artisan pottery and jewelry, and a mission statement worth its weight in water; even more precious than gold. MudLOVE, partners with Water for Good, so that every product purchased provides one week of clean water to someone in need. Water for Good is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that is on a mission to end water poverty in the Central African Republic. By aligning with Water for Good, MudLOVE has made this their mission, too. I feel good building my mug collection knowing that each purchase is making a tangible impact on the lives of men, women, and children a world away.
A little about Water for Good
Water for Good was founded in 2004 by Jim Hocking, a Central African Republic Native. From the very beginning, Jim’s mission was to create a nonprofit that not only drills wells, but does so by empowering local staff to provide regular well maintenance. Doing this allows locals to build relationships with communities, and work with them to start projects that will prosper and remain sustainable over time.
There are a few ways to get involved with Water for Good, but perhaps the easiest and most common is through planned giving. You can do this by supporting brand partners that donate to Water for Good, like MudLOVE, by direct donation, or by hosting a fundraiser with a specific goal; like, sponsoring a village water pump for a year. When you donate to Water for Good, you support sustainable water projects for people who need it most. Water For Good estimates that every $5 raised provides one year of clean water to 1 person in the Central African Republic.
Why it matters
Water is essential to life — the End.
But in case you need to know more:
- Water Poverty is Real:
- The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day, the highest rate in the world. The average person in Central Africa uses only 5 gallons of water per day, and the water is often hard to come by and unsafe for consumption.
- By 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. [the WHO]
- Water poverty affects every aspect of life:
- Waterborne illness leads to extra spending on medication and lower school and work attendance.
- Without a safe and nearby water source, some people walk up to 45mins both ways to get water. This burden often leaves little time for school or work. Women and Children are most affected.
- There is a very real health impact:
- Drinking water that is unclean leads to many types of diarrheal diseases; like Cholera and Dysentery.
- Water-related diseased cause 3.4 million deaths each year.
What’s most astonishing? This is an entirely fixable problem. The solution just requires capital; digging wells, maintaining wells, and teaching about water sanitation is vital. I’m happy to support Brands that Do More and to directly support the philanthropies they partner with to make an impact on this critical issue. Value-driven purchasing isn’t going anywhere. I am happy to see more brands stepping up to the plate.
Sharing is Caring – Giveaway [Closed]!
I’m excited to continue this conversation and introduce you to more brands that are taking up the mantle of philanthropy. What brands do you love that are doing great things to help their community or the planet at large? I’d like to know, leave em in the comments. Maybe I’ll feature your favorite Brand That Does More next!
And because one of my many mantras is “Sharing is Caring” I want to share a little MudLOVE with you. I think we could all use a little MudLOVE to make our coffee or tea break a little sweeter, so I’ve got a great little Giveaway over on my Instagram account. Check out the post featuring MudLOVE to enter to win a $50 gift card to shop MudLOVE. Deadline to Enter 12.03 midnight ET. Good luck!
Edit: Winner Chosen and Announced on Instagram! Thanks for entering.
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
