"...our community understands the value of their spending and how it can be integral in sustaining mom and pop shops. Conscious spending within the community can contribute to neighborhood sustainability.”
– Christine Araquel, The Park’s Finest
This is a Chalk Drawing I did when I was working for Whole Foods.
I love Thanksgiving. I adore the nourishment of family, friends, and food. This year I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in a newfangled way. A guest list of 3 dear friends plus me, instead of over thirty family members including my children, brother, parents, and extended family. The four of us will be outside dining on my beautiful front porch celebrating all the abundance in our lives and giving thanks. Throughout a year of doing things in new and different ways, I am grateful that my creativity has served me well.
Although I miss my daughter tremendously, I won't miss waking up at 4am to take her and her friends to the mall on Black Friday. They would get there one way or another and it always felt safer to take her myself. Things can get crazy. Black Friday has been riding on the coat-tails of Thanksgiving ever since 1952 when It officially marked the beginning of the United States Christmas shopping season.
I say skip the madness, relax, and let the shopping start on Saturday. Shop Small Saturday is a great way to pay it forward and continue the Thanksgiving spirit. Small businesses give most to community organizations that rely on volunteers and donations so when you support us, you help yourself as well. Of course, I want you to shop small with me. Not only will your gift of Wild Cherry Art be unique and treasured, every purchase made from Shop small Saturday through Giving Tuesday will include a set of greeting cards and a special invite to a private Holiday Zoom. Every purchase includes a donation to one of the four organizations I support:
This Magical Martini print is available under the prints tab on the website. With every purchase of Fabulous Foods Art a donation is made to the Rent Party Pantry.
Rent Party Pantry, a 501(c)(3) organization fighting hunger in my community by providing food to local food pantries and schools and weekend food distributed to local school children dependent on the school meal benefits program. All purchases of Fabulous Foods Art include a contribution. You can donate directly here.
This Blue Light and Love print is available under the prints tab on the website. With every purchase of Faces and Figures Art a donation is made to the WConnection.
WConnection, a 501(c)(3) community of widows, with a simple yet challenging goal of widows helping widows rebuild our lives with new tools, understanding, and hope. As a widow, this one is near and dear. I do quite a bit of volunteering for this wonderful organization. All purchases of Faces and Figures Art include a contribution. You can donate directly here.
This painting, Da Vinci’s Dahlia Pink #3 is available here. With every purchase of Landscapes and Nature Art a donation is made to the Rent Party Pantry.
Sierra Club, a 501(c)(4) is one of the first large-scale environmental preservation organizations in the world. All purchases of Landscapes and Nature, and Monotypes include a contribution. You can donate directly here.
Be the Light Giclee print is available here. With every purchase of this print a donation is made to the NAACP.
NAACP a 501(c)(4), is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Their mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Every purchase of the print “Be the Light” includes a contribution. You can donate directly here.
I encourage you to find out who your merchants support and how they give back to your community. When their spending aligns with your values it makes giving, this season, more meaningful. Here’s a list so you know what day it is:
Thanksgiving is Thursday November 26th
Black Friday is November 27th
Shop Small Saturday is November 28th
Artists Sunday is November 29th
Cyber Monday is November 30th
Giving Tuesday is December 1st
Where’s my Wallet Wednesday is one I made up for fun. Please spend responsibly.
I’m thankful you are on this journey with me and I appreciate you reading my newsletters and blog. May your family be safe and healthy, may your belly be full and satisfied, and may your life be filled with meaning and an abundance of blessings for which to be thankful.
With love and gratitude,
Leslie