My colleague, Michael Stein ("Internet Strategist and Author") who works with nonprofits, emailed me about a new Internet campaign Take Back Mother's Day for Peace that was recently launched by a Bay Area public grantmaking foundation, The Ploughshares Fund (www.ploughshares.org). (Ahem ... hint, hint, hint -- this is a nice idea for Mother's Day).
I know I stress out every year about what to send my own mother -- a card, candy, flowers, or donation in her honor. The anxiety about finding something meaningful takes something away from the holiday for me. Also, I know my children who are probably too young to worry about finding the perfect gift, happily make me something or bring me breakfast in bed - but wouldn't it be nice for them to learn the true meaning of Mother's Day? Not to mention, turning a commerical gift-giving opportunity into a cause!
According to the site: Mother's Day was originally designated as a day to inspire people to work for peace. It was conceived after the Civil War by abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe, who wrote, "Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of mercy, charity and patience." That sentiment — with our daughters included — is as urgent today as it was then.
Michael is quick to point out the aspects of this nonprofit Internet campaign that make it interesting (and successful):
I know I stress out every year about what to send my own mother -- a card, candy, flowers, or donation in her honor. The anxiety about finding something meaningful takes something away from the holiday for me. Also, I know my children who are probably too young to worry about finding the perfect gift, happily make me something or bring me breakfast in bed - but wouldn't it be nice for them to learn the true meaning of Mother's Day? Not to mention, turning a commerical gift-giving opportunity into a cause!
According to the site: Mother's Day was originally designated as a day to inspire people to work for peace. It was conceived after the Civil War by abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe, who wrote, "Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of mercy, charity and patience." That sentiment — with our daughters included — is as urgent today as it was then.
Michael is quick to point out the aspects of this nonprofit Internet campaign that make it interesting (and successful):
- It's timed around Mother's Day to take advantage of the social and shopping buzz. It reframes Mother's Day by reminding us of its origins (conceived after the U.S. Civil War by abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe).
- There's a "double your gift" component (Esprit founder Susie Buell is matching up to $10,000).
- They invite people to suggest ways to take back Mother's Day, and use SurveyMonkey.com so you can vote for ideas or suggest your own. This element (which lives at a separate URL, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=520532091219) is actually pretty cool and worth a look. I like "Treat your mother to a yoga class," and "Cook your mom a slow food meal."
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