The holidays are known as a time of kindness and giving. But with the hustle and bustle of the season, it can be difficult to find time for helping others. Now you can complete your shopping list and help people with MS at the same time. We found the gifts that give back.
Gift: Vv SkiVvys are sexy, waterproof, leak and stain resistant panties. The underwear is made for women and it runs from extra small to plus size. The outside material is a soft cotton fabric and the inside features a darker-colored thicker fiber to pull moisture away from the body. The underwear is not only beautiful, but it also helps people with MS. Vv Apparel will donate 15 percent of product sales to the MSF when the promo code 4MSF2U is used. The code also lets customers receive 10 percent off their entire purchase. The company was started by three sisters and their mom who hope to empower women.
Amount: $30.95 to $35.95
How to Get It: It’s available online at www.vvskivvys.com.
Gift: Sew Pretty hand-made handbags and accessories. You’ll see anything from an iPad caddy to a walker bag for sale. Customers can also choose their own style and colors for a custom-made purchase. The products are designed and crafted by volunteers who have MS. This is the only company where 100 percent of the net profits go to the MSF and product donations go to veterans. Sew Pretty’s mission is economic awareness and empowering their volunteers through life skills and work. The owner, Martha Hannigan — who also happens to have MS — initially started Sew Pretty as a small home-based sewing and embroidery business. Martha said as the company grows she hopes to be able to hire part-time people to help meet demand, giving people with MS and veterans with disabilities first consideration.
Amount: Wide range from $12 to $75 for custom embroidery. The median price of a purse costs about $25 to $45.
How to Get It: Order products at www.sewpretty-ms.com. You can pay through Paypal or 239-219-6532 to request a call back and pay over the phone, make a custom order or have questions or comments answered.
Gift: Shop For MSF. The MSF created its own clothing and gifts using the online retailer Zazzle. The clothing is available for men and women. Sizes run from small to 6X on some items. Most of the material is made of 100 percent cotton. Customers can click the customize button for different colors and styles such as a t-shirt, tank top or a polo-style shirt. The items are designed by the MSF staff or sometimes in collaboration with supporters of the organization. The MSF chose to receive only 10 percent of the sales in order to keep the prices down. The Foundation also receives a referral fee for customers who use the link below to enter the site and then buy something outside of the MSF brand. Shop for MSF is also an excellent way to spread MS awareness
Amount: $16.95 to $33.45
How to Get It: Order online at www.zazzle.com/msfocus
Gift: COOLSHIRT®. Coolshirt uses active cooling technology and specializes in personal cooling products such as cooling vests, pants, shirts, and blankets. The products are such high in quality that they are also used by race car drivers, fire fighters, athletes, and surgeons. Coolshirt Systems donates a generous 15 percent of total sales from its heat intolerance products to the MSF. Coolshirt products offer optimum duration and portability for people with MS.
Amount: $42.95 to $532.13
How to Get It: Shop online at coolshirt.com/msusa
Finally, there is a catch-all for people who want to pay it forward. Amazon.com will give .5 percent of your eligible purchases to the MSF. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation.” Go to smile.amazon.com, log in with your same Amazon account info, and on your first visit select Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. You can also bookmark the page to keep it handy. There is no additional cost to you and your shopping cart, wish list, and registries account settings stay the same. Amazon Smile is an ideal way to give back and get a wide variety of gifts.