Join (RED)

Read this beautiful mission taken from www.joinred.com :   All things being equal.  They are not. As first world consumers, we have tremendous power.  What we collectively buy, or not buy, can change the course of life and history on this planet.  (RED) is that simple an idea.  And that powerful.  Now, you have a choice.  There are (RED) credit cards, (RED) phones, (RED) shoes, (RED) fashion brands .  And no, this does not mean they are all red in color.  Although some are. If you buy a (RED) product or sign up for a (RED) service, at no cost to you, a (RED) company will give some of its profits to buy and distribute anti-retroviral medicine to our brothers and sisters dying of AIDS in Africa. We believe that when consumers are offered this choice, and the products meet their needs, they will choose (RED).  And when they choose (RED) over non-(RED), then more brands will choose to become (RED) because it will make good business sense to do so.  And more lives will be saved. (RED) is not a charity.  It is simply a business model.  You buy (RED) stuff.  We get the money, but the pills and distribute them.  They take the pills, stay alive, and continue to take care of their families and contribute socialy and economically in their communities. If they don't get the pills, they die.  We don't want them to die.  We want to give them the pills.  And we can.  And you can  And it's easy.  All you have to do is upgrade your choice.

We all shop and this way our normal shopping makes a difference and a statement.  AIDS is the most devestating epidemic to hit our generation.  Before all the recent AIDS publicity I had been ignorant of how the disease really affected people.  It leaves millions of children orphaned; it destroys towns; it causes suffering.  These innocent people have no hope.  For many of them there is no treatment and they are just waiting until their day of death.

It must not be coincidental that when thinking about this topic The Fray song "How to Save a Life" was playing on my itunes.  It made me think- how do I save a life?  At first it seems impossible... I am thousands of miles away from the pain in Africa (not saying it only plagues Africa, because the USA has a very rising epidemic as well).  But, then I went shopping- something I do VERY often and I came across (RED).  What a great idea I kept thinking.  Of course I bought some (RED) products and then I figured I would spread the word so people would at least know about it. 

And being a very business-minded person... (RED) is a genius marketing concept.  If we buy more (RED) more businesses will jump on the bandwagon and offer (RED) merchandise or other products that support a cause.

(RED) was started by Bono to support the AIDS Global Foundation.  All of these brands have teamed together to create (RED) products.  So my idea or quest for everyone- if possible by (RED).  Every little bit counts.  Think: the purchase of 1 shirt could provide medicine for one person to make it through the month with less pain.   Here is another idea- buy (RED) gifts for presents- Christmas for example.  The list is of the brands that have teamed together. The merch is also online.  The clothes are cool and everyone would look hot wearing them.  Plus I already have the GAP hoodie and shirt... so we can be cool together. :)

Gap

Armani

Apple

Converse

Motorola

Go to www.joinred.com to shop, register, or get more educated!