It’s the most wonderful time of the year! One of my favorite things about this pre holiday time are the red cups at Starbucks. This means my favorite seasonal drinks such as peppermint mochas or gingerbread lattes. But now the red cups at Starbucks mean a little something different.
Starbucks has become the most recent retail company to hop on the Product (Red) campaign. If you don’t know what Product (Red) is let me give you a little background. Product (Red) was started by the Global Fund. They have teamed up with many different retailers such as, The Gap, Dell, Apple just to name a few, and now Starbucks. These retailers designate part of there sales on their “Red” items to the Global Fund an organization helping fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
I became really interested in this campaign after I had the opportunity to spend part of my summer in Nairobi, Kenya a few years ago. The whole experience was very humbling and eye opening. I was just a young adult living in a pretty sheltered world. I went to a great school, drove a nice car, had a great job, and had food on the table for me at every meal. Living among the Kenyans that summer really changed my life. I learned that I have been blessed for more than just my materials things but the fact that I had shelter over my head every night., or the fact that I had access to a doctor whenever I needed them.
That was one thing that really bothered me while I was over there. There were so many sick people! We have all heard about how devastating the AIDS epidemic is over there, but it was not till I saw the sickness even in the poor peoples eyes that I was really effected. The hardest part for me to grasp, is they fact that they can’t get medical attention.
This is why I think the Global Fund and Product (Red) is doing a great thing. I think that Starbucks will be an amazing addition to the team. 5 cents of every cup will be donated to the organization. Think of how many people go to Starbucks on a regular basis. Every 5 cents will add up. Think about the difference you are making in someone’s life across the world in Africa.
http://www.joinred.com/Home.aspx
1 comment:
I think the whole product Red thing is an amazing thing for huge corporations to do to help the less fortunate. Especially around Christmas when its suppose to be about giving. Even the most little amount counts. A couple years ago my family and I were able to help a child out by sending them like a dollar a day. I know it didn't seem like a lot but for them it really was. Many people don't realize how lucky they are to be able to have a nice Christmas at home with their family, because there are many people out there that will never experience that great feeling. I think it was amazing thing for you to spend some time with the unfortunate and see how everyday life for them really is like. This was a really good post. Great Job!
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