There’s this constant pressure that I feel behind my left eye, and sometimes that eye starts to twitch. It’s a slight issue, not one that really stands out enough to even notice, but sometimes when the kids are playing quietly or napping or I have a moment to think, I notice it. It’s stress, I know it. There are moments when I feel ok with everything going on, a sense of steady calmness that leaves me feeling like we’ll get through this and life will be back to normal. But then, in many other moments I worry.
I worry about the health and safety of my family. I worry for those who are sick. I worry for what this means financially for so many; from small business owners like ourselves, to hourly employees, to those who have already lost their jobs. I constantly think about the medical professionals who are fighting this on the frontline (without proper supplies at times). I think about those who don’t have the luxury to stay home, and daily must leave the safety of their homes to go to work to provide for their families and communities. I am so thankful for those who go to essential jobs to keep the rest of us fed and keep deliveries coming, keeping our lives a bit closer to our old ‘normal’. It is a luxury to stay home, not all can.
Vlad and I have spent some time finding local and national organizations that we have donated to. If you’d like to do the same, here are a few that maximize the effectiveness of every dollar contributed, which is always important when donating.
United Way (you can donate to the worldwide fund or local funds)
American Red Cross – there is a shortage of blood right now, you can set up a time to donate
Ronald McDonald House Charities
We are a small business that employs 4 people full-time, a handful of freelancers, a web development and design team, and a couple of illustrators. One way that we make money is through commission based off sales we sent to partners, meaning when you click on a shopping link on our site and purchase anything, we make a small commission on that sale. For all of April and May, we will be donating a portion of our proceeds to some of the charities listed above. We believe strongly in giving back, helping others, and doing our part.
If you are shopping online, bookmark our shopping page and click any of those links before you checkout. It helps us continue to employ our team during this time! We will continue to bring you content on designer bags and look forward to the day when we can all safely leave our homes again, embrace our friends and family, and of course, carry our bags.
Stay safe everyone.
Eye twitch, check. Me too. Glad I’m not the only one, and thanks for this post. Sending virtual hugs to you and your staff, Megs! I’ll check out some of the organization links above for donations and will bookmark the shopping page. Stay safe!
Team eye twitch…!
Hugs to you as well, or virtual elbow touches (though I’m rethinking that since we’re supposed to sneeze into our elbows). Thank you for the support and any support we can offer to any organization or business at this time is so important!
Meg-do you have different shopping pages for retailers in Canada? I don’t often use your links as the websites include hefty shipping and duties for Canada. If you add a few websites based in Canada (Nordstrom Canada, Holt Renfrew, Hudson Bay, Coach Canada etc)for those of us us not in USA, I will be sure to use your links to do my retail therapy 🙂
Thanks Karina! Let me see if we are affiliated with them and I will add for our friends up North!
Thank you for publishing this article as a reminder to encourage people to donate. As a retired nurse and social worker I worked with many populations in my career that included infants to the elderly. The number of families that desperately struggled to survive through physical abuse, hunger, homelessness, etc. was astounding and overwhelming. I thought I knew hardship growing up in extreme poverty that included bouts of homelessness and hunger after my Mother left my abusive Father. My family survived with my Mother’s small salary and through the generosity of charities and other organizations. However, as a nurse and social worker what I encountered was far worse than what I personally experienced.
I also understand that currently many people are out of work and are struggling to meet their individual and/or their family’s daily needs. As a community we are all struggling, one way or the other; however, it is necessary and essential that we come together and help families with young children, etc. that are caught up in a cycle of abuse and neglect for which they are victims. No Kid Hungry provides meals to children who solely depend on the meals they receive in school or they would have no food to eat. However, now that schools are closed these children need help more than ever. Also, Meals on Wheels relies on volunteers to deliver meals to the home bound elderly population who are unable to shop or cook for themselves.
I would encourage everyone to donate to some cause because the need is greater than anyone can imagine. Thx!
Wow, what an amazing story you have shared – your life has truly been a journey.
Thank you for sharing and thank you again for taking care of so many in your lifetime. And yes, some of these programs are so important, especially at a time like now!