(Relatively) Guilt free shopping

(Relatively) Guilt free shopping -- why so few takers? Why? Why? Why?

Have I got an opportunity for you: shop without the guilt and support a great cause at the same time. I'm having a Silpada party on Thursday -- go to the link at the end of this post to BUY, BUY, BUY.

Did you?

Fundraising is tough. Especially with the economy like it is in Michigan the last couple of years. I'm having a Silpada party on Thursday to raise money for the Relay For Life (American Cancer Society) team that I participate on and I'm thinking it's going to be a bit of a bust.

I thought last year's turnout was lame -- but this is looking even lamer (more lame, whatev).

The Silpada rep I work with is awesome and loves to donate all her profits to the cause -- she sincerely hopes each year we'll have even better sales so she can donate more and more. I love her. Laura (Cooky) is awesome.

Sigh. Too bad I don't have a broader pool of silver loving friends who drool -- like I do -- over the Silpada catalog. Too bad we don't all have lots of discretional income. I get it, I do. Money is tight. We're currently a one-income household so I really get it.

But it's for a great cause. And that's where I get stuck. I really believe that we can make a difference in the fight against cancer. And I know women love jewelry -- so why not buy now and combine the two?

(And here's where I'll get on my soapbox a bit. Because I can't do it in person I'll do it on my blog.)

I'll do what I can to raise money for the American Cancer Society -- a non-profit that funds so much cancer research that they're second ONLY to the U.S. government in the dollars spent. That's right. That much. Breast cancer, yup. All cancer, yup. They fund so much cancer research that they're second ONLY to the U.S. government in the number of dollars spent. Straight up.

So I volunteer for the American Cancer Society at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (in memory of my mentor Judy Junewick Horrigan) and I'm on the committee for the Relay For Life of Lowell (in memory of Judy who participated with me in my first year of Relay, and in memory of my Grandpa, and this year in celebration of the life of my puppy-dog.). And I volunteer at the Tee Off for Breast Cancer golf outing which raises money for the ACS.

I believe we can make a difference. This week, I'm making a difference by buying some sterling silver bling:

http://mysilpada.com/sites/lauranne.oconnor/private/content/home.jsf

Too bad I'm not a better salesman (or any kind of salesman at all, really). But let's fact it, I'm not much of a people person and schmoozing just isn't my forte. And ya gotta schmooze to bring in the dough -- even if it's for a good cause.

I'm a much better volunteer than I am a fundraiser. I'm an excellent volunteer. :)
Here's hoping the few books I have out to friends will bring in lots of orders. Fingers crossed.