That’s
right, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. If you are like me,
you want to remember and honor your Mom, but maybe you just don’t know
how to go about it?
I think most Mothers are trying to downsize their piles of THINGS and minimize their trips to the Goodwill. Who wants more frivolous, random things to take care of? Do you feel the pressure now? There is no need to get your self into panic mode because there are tons of things you can do to honor your Mother, even GREEN things.
If you are completely stumped, without a clue, go to your nearest New Seasons and pick up a Chinook Book! One look inside and the ideas should spring forth. The Health & Style section alone could be the answer to all of your Mother’s Day gift idea quandaries.
However, if your Mom has had it with STUFF, like me, simply make a donation to one of her favorite charities. There are tons of non -profits in Portland that desperately need money. Some of my favorites are listed below:
- Growing Gardens This amazing organization is helping low income people, in Portland, grow their own organic vegetables. Volunteers work with people to install vegetable gardens, providing the seeds, mentoring and support. Part of Growing Gardens mission is to promote healthy nutrition and self-reliance. How very motherly sounding! Growing Gardens also conducts workshops for the general public in growing organic vegetables. Growing Gardens also does after school garden clubs, summer garden camps, in school garden programs and parent /child workshops in gardening. Check out their upcoming Veggie Ball on May 17th.
- Forest Park Conservancy Did you know there is a 5,000-acre forest practically right in the middle of Portland? The Forest Park Conservancy helps to protect this beautiful and unique treasure we all have access to. Forest Park Conservancy accepts donations in any amount and is also looking for volunteers to help maintain the trails. In one of my prior posts, I talked about making sure our kids get their “Green Time”. Well guess what, Moms need Green Time too! By making a donation to Forest Park Conservancy, in your Mom’s name, you are giving her a gift that will help preserve Portland’s exquisite urban forest. What better gift could you give your Green minded Mom?
- Nothing But Nets Is your Mom one of those Mothers who would like to mother lots and lots of children? If you make a donation to Nothing But Nets, your Mom’s dream could come true. Millions of people in Africa die every year from Malaria. This organization provides mosquito nets to millions of Africans to help protect them from mosquitoes that carry Malaria. One net only costs $10 and can last for 4 years. As an added bonus, Nothing But Nets will send you a cute orange tee shirt with their logo, “Buzzkill” for a $20.00 donation.
I also know lots of Mothers would be very happy to simply have breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day, a lovely bouquet of (organically grown) flowers, or my favorite, a drawing by my daughter.
Whatever you decide to do, do it with green love and do it soon.