With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to start thinking gifts that will show her some love. Why not give your Mom something unique this year, a gift that gives back? One of our favorite charities is The Starling Project, a line of home candles that provide solar energy to under-resourced communities. Funding solar panels in Chad, Africa via UNICEF, the  The Starling Project was recently honored with the Champion for Children Award by UNICEF.)  These elegant, soy-based candles are hand-poured in Brooklyn, New York and feature American glass and a cotton wick. All essential oils found within the candles are all-natural.  Once lit, each candle burns for approximately 60 hours offering a long-lasting sensory experience. Available in Juniper + Saffron, Vanilla + Hemlock, Orange Flower + Amber, Currant + Rosewood and Bamboo + Hyacinth. Imagine how righteous Mom will feel every time she lights the candle.

IDOMENI, GREECE– March 10, 2016– A woman with two children from Babel, Iraq, (which has been occupied by ISIS) sat on the floor of a tent. Not wanting to give her name or show her face, she said the family fled to Bagdad when ISIS attacked their area and then got smuggled to Turkey. “I want to protect my children,” she said. Now they are stuck at Idomeni camp on the northern Greek border.

The International Rescue Committee , called the ‘gold standard of aid groups working with refugees’ by the New York Times, is on the ground in Syria and Yemen and also South Sudan which has been stricken by a terrible famine. Mom doesn’t need another bottle of perfume but will be touched by your thoughtfulness and big heart when you make a donation in her name. It’s what we’re asking for this year.