When I started writing the business plan last spring (2009) for Caron's Beach House, it became so clear to me that I had to make Supporting our Future a critical part of my mission statement. It's funny how this has really changed my outlook on simple every day life. I have become a better recycler at home, a smarter cook with less processed foods/packaging, a better garbage picker upper, I try very very hard not to drink bottled water and if I do, we re-use the bottles. The simplest change that I have made is that I always take an extra bag with me to the beach to pick up plastic and other debris - nothing needs to end up in the swirling garbage dump in the middle of the Pacific.
So, here's what I did and what I wrote for the "Caron's Causes Page": http://www.caronsbeachhouse.com/servlet/the-template/charitablecauses/Page (the entire page)
Supporting our Future:
Caron’s Beach House has made a commitment to support various charitable organizations through your generous purchase of our products. This is a very significant part of our mission statement as a company; giving back to our communities, protecting our environment and supporting important humanitarian efforts for education, health care and well being. We are inviting our customers to join us. To further those efforts, Caron’s will be featuring a variety of beach house style décor products in which a potion of the proceeds will be donated to support our favorite organizations.
And this is how I ended that page after highlighting several of my favorite organizations -
"Because living on the coast is our passion, we believe in thoroughly researching our products, striving to find sustainable home décor items, and to also work with manufacturers that also share our vision whenever possible. We also support beach cottage industry artists, and their artistry in our “Beach Finds” collection (check here often for new items!)
As part of the commitment to support our earth’s future and oceans’ health, Caron’s Beach House will also recycle, re-purpose, and re-use as much of our packaging material as we can (bubble-wrap, peanuts, cardboard) – don’t be surprised to find that your shipments might not be packed in a brand new box!"
And, I do stick to this philosophy. Some days it's a lot more work, but I feel so much better when I ship a box out to a customer and know that in some small way, I am helping the oceans.
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and as a way to support Ocean Conservancy.Org here's what we are doing: The best part is that up until May 7 - all donations to Ocean Conservancy's Science program will be doubled! 
This year we will be donating 25% of the sale proceeds from your generous purchase of the hand-crafted iridescent glass reminders of the sea! Two colors available; purchase either the Sea Green, or the Marine Blue Starfish before May 2, 2010 and Caron's Beach House will donate 25% to Ocean Conservancy.Org - one of our favorite causes to support!
This organization works tirelessly to bring awareness of our Oceans' plight - they also have been the instigators of the largest volunteer effort, EVER. Last September, 498,818 volunteers in over 100 countries picked up 7,446,130 pounds of trash.
That's what I call amazing work!! Please join me in supporting the continued effort of this great organization - take a look at their website, they can actually help you organize your own beach clean-up day!
I have some shipping to do - and then I am headed to Half Moon Bay with my extra bag to pick up plastic...Have a fabulous Earth Day! Here's a few photos from HMB, last week's walk before the surf got me!
