Shop For A Cause

Barely a week ago, the Philippines was ravaged by the fiercest typhoon in world history. Parts of the Visayas region were destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, leaving millions homeless and hundreds of thousands dead and injured. Aid has been generously pouring in, both from international and local groups. While families affected directly by the typhoon are being given  relief and temporary shelter, the journey to recovery is far from over--we are all faced with the behemoth task of rebuilding and bringing Visayas back to its beautiful glory.

Calls for donations—monetary, material and manpower--have been broadcast throughout social media networks, and thankfully, many have answered and gone beyond what is expected of them. Many retailers, both from large industries and small businesses, have done what they can to help support those who survived Typhoon Yolanda.

You can still help some more by patronizing these shops who have pledged their profits to help Typhoon Yolanda's survivors.

FEED Philippines T-Shirt
The FEED project was started by model and activist Lauren Bush who created a bag in 2005 to benefit UN's World Food Program. Merchandise sold via their website goes toward raising money to feed children around the world via the WFP. FEED recently released a Philippine version of their popular shirt; each purchase of the shirt will help supply 10 high-energy biscuit packs for children and families that were affected by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

Benchsetters love
Bench's roster of celebrities join forces to help raise funds for Typhoon Yolanda's survivors. Get a chance to bid on items signed by Nichkhun, Lee Min Ho, Pitbull and Taylor Lautner.

Accessory Lab x The Bag Hag Diaries online sale
Purchase designer bags and gorgeous jewelry at a huge discount via The Bag Hag Diaries' online sale together with Accessory Lab. Featured items include bags from Goyard, Lancel, Tod's, Fendi and other brands, as well as jewelry from Accessory Lab's inventory. Proceeds of sale will go to purchase more water for Yolanda's survivors, UNICEF or Philippine Red Cross.

Myth
Myth is a boutique that features pieces from Filipino designers. They will earmark selected designer items whose proceeds of sale will be donated entirely to help out those affected by the typhoon. Proceeds will go to Philippine Red Cross and organizations focused on rebuilding efforts.

Also read: Ways To Get A Positive Outlook

Goody Bag
Chely Esguerra of Channel Good, together with Wiji Lacsamana of The Curious Studio teamed up to create the Goody Bag. For P250, you can purchase any of the six bag designs especially created to help raise funds to help families directly affected by Yolanda. Channel Good will personally deliver the funds to families in affected areas.  

Art for Haiyan
Artists band together in this Tumblr page devoted exclusively to artists/illustrators/photographers who have pledged some of their pieces (finished and on commission basis) whose proceeds of sale will be donated to various charitable institutions involved in relief operations.

Threadless tee - The Sun Will Rise Again
Threadless is a great community featuring apparel with designs submitted by independent artists. Dan Elijah G. Fajardo's "The Sun Will Rise Again" tee will donate 100% of its net proceeds to Architecture for Humanity (http://architectureforhumanity.org), a nonprofit design service firm geared towards addressing long-term reconstruction needs in affected regions.

Also read: You Can Do It!

Suelas One for One
Homegrown shoe brand Suelas has pledged to donate a pair of Suelas shoes for every pair you purchase.  So far, Suelas has been able to provide sole relief to women in Ormoc and Bantayan Island in Cebu.

Katha magazine "Padayon" Auction For A Cause
Join the crafty peeps behind Katha magazine and their Padayon auction. Padayon is a Bisaya term which means "to carry on" or "continue." The auction will run until November 24 and features different handmade items from talented artists. Proceeds of the auction will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross.

Handbag help
Cathy's Bags is holding a pre-Christmas sale until November 24. You can buy online via their website or at Cabana Lounge Shop (2/F Nail Spa 109 Gamboa St., Legaspi Village, Makati). 100% of profits from the sale will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross.

A good deal
Shopping site Ava.ph is full of finds for yourself and for the people on your Christmas list (if you've started, that is!). The site pledges to donate 5% of gross sales to Yolanda relief operations by donating it to UNICEF.

Rebuilding reading
We all know how important it is to read and to cultivate love of reading. National Book Store's Project Aklat 2013 Christmas Book Drive will allow customers to buy and donate pre-selected books in National Book Store and Powerbooks branches until December 31, 2013. The pre-selected books you buy for donation will be used to help rebuild libraries around devastated areas.

Also read: Benefits of Smiling