OUR PLEDGE
HELPING THOSE IN NEED
One lesson we've learned from traveling, is that things don't always go as we'd hoped or planned, but it's how we choose to respond to those challenges that truly defines our character. In just the last month, we've seen unprecedented environmental disasters, and a horrific attack on innocent lives. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, and it feels like everyday, we find ourselves asking the question: "What can we do to help?"
Stay hopeful, optimistic and positive, but not only that. Stay motivated to help and take action.
In September, we partnered up with Charity Miles on our Oktoberfest Adventures to bike and hike for disaster relief, and we committed to donating $4 from every shirt sold in our STRONG series to help recovery efforts in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean.
Since our original commitment last month, Hurricane Maria has devastated our friends in Puerto Rico, and there's been a horrific tragedy in Las Vegas that has broken our hearts once again...
That's why, on behalf of all the courageous and resilient people who've inspired us around the world on our travels, we are going to step up our efforts and donate $1,000 to helping those who need it most right now. Something we hold sacred in the WHOA community is the philosophy that we are all in this together, and do better when we are building each other up. We're pledging to donate $250 to each of the following local organizations who are on ground doing real work with real people in Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas. We know that money cannot bring back people's homes, towns, or loved ones, but we do know it can help make life a tad easier for our friends who are trying to rebuild. Collectively, we all have that power to lift each other up, especially when we most need it.
A donation on behalf of the WHOA community will be made to the following organizations:
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund founded by Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, to collect much needed relief services for those affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston.
GlobalGiving’s Irma Relief Fund which is providing relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine, in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild. All donations exclusively support relief and recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma in the US and Caribbean.
United for Puerto Rico, an organization created by the governor's wife Beatriz Rosselló in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane María. 100% of the proceeds will go to helping the victims affected by the natural disasters in Puerto Rico.
Las Vegas Victims Fund, started by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas to collect funds that will provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting.
NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP
VOLUNTEER
Check out this list of volunteer opportunities at the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster currently responding to Hurricane Maria, Irma, and Harvey. Click on the How to Help section for a list of opportunities.
SPEAK OUT AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
CallYourRep.co has made it easy to find your local House and Senate representative's phone numbers and mailing addresses. Give them a call, write them a letter, and speak out against gun violence. This is a great resource to learn more about what to say to your local representatives, and other ways to stand up and speak out.
DONATE BLOOD TO CONCERT VICTIMS
According to United Blood Services, all donors are needed in the days & weeks ahead. There are immediate needs for O-negative, O-positive and platelet donations, but donors of all types will be needed to replenish supply. Blood has a shelf life, so it is important that donations are given on an ongoing basis. Here is where you can find a blood donation center near you.
IT'S BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT
In honor of Optimistic October and Breast Cancer Awareness month, we have launched a SPECIAL EDITION STRONG tank to support our sisters in the fight against breast cancer!
$4 from every pink STRONG shirt in the month of October will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship.
SAILING FOR GOOD
SEAS THE DAY
Feeling the warmth and want to do good too? Our Caribbean Sailing Adventure is looking for a few more adventurous ladies to join us on an epic sailing adventure that will explore the Caribbean seas from Grenada to the Grenadines from February 1-7, 2018. We'll be learning to sail while also learning about our ocean's health, plastic sampling, and taking on beach cleanups and discussions on how we can put this knowledge into action back in our everyday lives! We hope to "sea" you there!