Mother’s Day is a golden opportunity not just to honor our own mothers, but many others, too.
2012 Kravis Prize recipient mothers2mothers has teamed up with an award-winning journalist and a philanthropic non-profit as part of their campaign, “Double Your Mommy,” which is tapping into this year’s holiday to maximize outreach to impoverished women around the world.
At first glance, the “Double Your Mommy” page established by the 13-year-old organization, which is dedicated to reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, presents a variety of Mom-themed gifts like most department stores and boutiques. Look closer, though, and you’ll find a decided difference.
Philanthropic organization Modropy, which has partnered with the American Cancer Society, Royal Family Kids, and several autism groups among many others, has created shirts, hoodies, and totes for m2m. Proceeds from the sales will go to support m2m’s programming and services. To learn more about Modropy, visit its homepage.
According to m2m co-founder Robin Smalley, these proceeds will be doubled by an anonymous donor to increase the services that they can provide to m2m’s staff and Mentor Mothers working in sub-Saharan Africa.
Journalist Jennifer Haupt, whose e-book Will You Be My Mother? The Quest to Answer ‘Yes’ looks at her experiences in genocide-torn Rwanda, is also donating sales from her memoir to m2m.
These purchases — along with several other items offered on the “Double Your Mommy” page (including donations to support educational materials, nutritional assistance, cell phones, and more)— include a Mother’s Day card that will be mailed or emailed to each customer’s mother so that they’re aware of the impact of their gift on lives in another country.
The “Double Your Mommy” campaign and m2m’s partnerships with Modropy and Jennifer Haupt are the latest of several efforts that have given the organization and its cause greater visibility.
Recent media attention on former pop icon Victoria Beckham’s work with m2m and musician Ryan Lewis’ family story about HIV transmission also have spotlighted m2m’s efforts and the need for more support in this area.
RELATED KRAVIS PRIZE/M2M STORIES:
- Fashion designer and pop icon Victoria Beckham works with m2m
- Musician Ryan Lewis on a family story of HIV and m2m’s work
- What is mothers2mothers? Learn more at the Kravis Prize homepage