A short story about possibility
Creating meaning and being part of making a difference in the world builds hope and allows us to realize that we’re deeply connected even if we’re not able to share a physical space.
Hope and connection are more important now than ever before.
Going beyond a typical gift, The French-American Foundation wanted to bring hope, connection, and meaning to their group.
Each year, through a competitive application process, they select a cohort of highly intellectually curious, and socially conscious individuals (called “Young Leaders”). These Young Leaders travel to France to forge bonds with their peer group, with the common goal of using their influence for good.
Since the Foundation could not have the annual trip this year due to Covid-19, they wanted to welcome in the 2020 Young Leaders with a meaningful gift, a gift that would tie together their values and connect their recipients to impact being made around the globe.
Through their partnership with Blue Dot, they sourced for impact:
A high-quality water bottle that provides clean drinking water through Charity:water
An elegant leather notebook and luggage tag that also creates economic opportunities for underserved women in Ethiopia
A welcome card that allowed each Young Leader to learn about the impact behind the product
“They are fantastic, and exactly what we had in mind to make our Young Leaders (YL) feel like part of the French American Foundation family. The first YL to receive her package yesterday wrote to us expressing her gratitude for the “gorgeous” gift, and that she’s looking forward to visiting France with the YL program. We too can’t wait for these amazing luggage tags to make it to the City of Light next year!”
More on Parker Clay
Parker Clay, our partner manufacturer of the leather notebook and luggage tag, is also creating hope, connection, and meaning: for them, it’s in Ethiopia. Behind each handcrafted, leather Parker Clay product is a story; one that traces back to an inspiring nonprofit, Ellilta Women at Risk. There are an estimated 150,000 women in prostitution in Ethiopia. Ellilta Women at Riskhelps with rehabilitation and job placement opportunities for women fleeing prostitution. With each product purchase, women are empowered with opportunity and hope for a brighter future.
Photo cred: Parker Clay “Empowered Women Change the World”
The Foundation chose products to lend hope to the Young Leaders that they will be able to travel again, connect with their peers, and build towards a greater tomorrow.