Making a Difference in Ordinary Ways

I've been thinking more recently about how to make those little differences every day that add up. Like using cloth shopping bags or a reusable water bottle, both good for the environment. Lots of people do both of those and they are easy. Like buying a pair of shoes that will, in turn, provide a pair of shoes for a needy child somewhere in the world, or buying a t-shirt from an adoption fundraiser. We all need clothes and shoes at some point, right? What I mean is, if I'm going to have to buy a pair of shoes or a shirt anyway, I want my purchase to matter to someone. Rather than being one in a line of thousands in the checkout of my local humongous retailer, I would prefer to buy those necessary things in a way that blesses someone who truly appreciates it. Sure, the cashier and the door greeter and the store manager appreciate having a job and I try to choose my humongous retailers based on what they do in the world around them. I'm not saying I'm ready to give up my beloved Tar-Jay!! But my taking one shirt out of my shopping cart probably doesn't really matter a bit to them and might really matter to that adoptive family who gets to make the last $10 needed to buy their airline tickets to bring home their child. Do you see what I mean? There are so many ways that I can go about my daily business and make a difference at the same time. I want to do more! So, what do you do or what have you heard about that you would like to do? If you know of someone raising funds for an adoption, I'm ALL OVER that type of thing. Add a link in the comments to your own blog or a fundraising site, or a company that "gives back." And thanks for making a difference in MY life! If you want some ideas for your own difference-making, I've got a few to share too, and may add to the list as I remember more. Follow the links!
Toms Shoes
Amazon for LWB  is SUCH an easy one!
Women of Faith Events also helps Love Without Boundaries
iGive if you don't have a favorite charity, I give to Compassionate Pug Rescue
147 Shop

*None of these companies have provided me with any type of compensation or incentive and I can almost guarantee that none of them read my blog, either. I do volunteer with LWB, though!