Causecast

Not Another Cheesy Corporate Holiday Commercial

We all know them so well. Those silly pop commercials with people dancing in cliche sweaters and holiday attire, singing at us through our televisions, showing us what we really want this holiday season— because they know what we want, right? They convince us to consume, buy, and give our friends presents, and often we succumb because they are so damn cute with their antics. Though most of the time these presents are things we don’t really need— like another sweater, scarf, or somewhat random and useless materialistic gift. Let’s change that this year.

Face it, we’re in a recession. People need change. There are many in need and our generosity can provide for one another. Times have shifted and we no longer need five more diamond rings, a turtle dove, or even another cheesy pop infused annoying commercial… unless that commercial has a different message.

12 Days Of Giving
This year we want to challenge you to give in a new way. Lets break the stereotype. It’s simple. Causecast’s 12 Days of Giving campaign brings together multiple nonprofit organizations, ambassadors, activists, leaders and members of the entertainment world to get the message out loud and clear: We don’t need another scarf or sweater. We need change.

Buy one less present and donate one more dollar in a friend’s name to a charity of their choice. Or better yet, buy a gift for them that directly benefits the cause and still makes your friend or family member really happy. It’s that easy. We can change the world one gift at a time. You can buy an animal for a family in need, purchase a pair of shoes knowing that a child elsewhere is sporting new kicks, or give a bracelet where the revenue goes to building schools in Africa. How about giving a micro-loan and affecting the lives of many, signing up for the bone marrow registry or even adopting puppies? Enough with the scarves, lets give the gift of giving back.

1 Goat For A Guatemalan Family
Even eight year old Tucker Albrezzi knows that for $45 you can buy a goat for a family in need, providing for generations to come. Through organizations like Heifer International or Oxfam International, the gift of a goat, cow, a dozen eggs and or other items such as baskets, school supplies and trees can help change the life of communities worldwide. Help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Give the gift that fights poverty, injustice and in many cases hunger.

2 Micro-Loans In Togo
Sarah Carter (Dirty Sexy Money, Shark) spokesperson for the Breast Cancer Fund, understands the power of microloans. Alongside Kestrin Pantera (Rita Rocks, Alter Eco, Weezer) they encourage lending to others this holiday season. Through organizations like Kiva, you can hand pick an entrepreneur in the developing world, personally lend that individual money, and empower them to lift themselves out of poverty. Help someone start a coffee company or a taxi service for their community and give a loan that changes lives.

3 Meals For The Homeless
Like Carly Craig (Role Models), many of our favorite memories of the holiday season are the big meals we enjoy with our families. Unfortunately, not everyone has food on their table or a place to enjoy a Christmas dinner. In fact, 1 in 8 people went hungry last year. This year help change that and give the gift of a full belly. Volunteer at a local shelter or donate in the name of a friend to organizations like Project Angel Food, Bread For The World and America’s Second Harvest .

4 Bone Marrow Donors/ Pat Pedraja & Joy Brant
Pat Pedraja, founder of Driving for Donors, wants everyone to join the bone marrow registry. Its quick, easy, and completely painless; who knows, you might be a match and directly save the life of someone who needs you. As Joy Bryant (Antwone Fisher, Virtuality) is actively involved in youth development and mentorship programs, she wants to see children thrive and leukemia is an unfortunate battle many fight. Sign up for the Bone Marrow registry and empower our youth to live the healthy lives they deserve.

Human Rights For All
Its almost 2009 and we still don’t live in a free world, a world with equal rights for all. Join Jack Healey, head of the Human Rights Action Center, and sign the petition to put the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in every passport. Hear the story from Sean Carasso, founder of Falling Whistles, exposing the realities of the world’s largest war in Congo, pointing towards the vast possibilities to end it. This holiday season visit Human Rights Action Center and Falling Whistles: sign the petition, buy a whistle and use your voice to build a free world.

6 Adopted Puppies
Ken Jeong (Role Models, Knocked Up) a proud supporter of the American Cancer Supporter, tells us to adopt puppies for Christmas. Thousands of pets do not have a home this holiday season. Give the gift of a “man’s best friend” and save the life of a puppy who would love to live with you in your home. Organizations like The Humane Society of the United States can give you the hard facts on the necessity of adoption and direct you to an adoption center near you.

7 Carbon Credits
We all leave our mark on the planet and during the holiday season, why not reduce it by buying a few carbon credits for a friend or family member. Environmental activist Lukas Haas (Musician, Entourage) knows that carbon credits are not the final answer to stop global warming, but that our dollars can easily go to ensuring a greener and healthier planet if each one of us becomes carbon neutral. Help ensure clean air and water and learn more about environmental activism through organizations like Waterkeeper Alliance, Global Green, Oceana, and the NRDC .

8 Shoes for Those in Need
If the world were a village of 100 people, 40 of them would not have shoes. By providing shoes for children in need, they can get an education and prevent themselves from foot born diseases. Caitlin Coble, Ana-Maria Munoz and Heather Bright from TOMS sport a stylish solution. Buy a pair of shoes from TOMS shoes this year, and know that for every pair purchased, TOMS gives another pair to a child in need. Walk with pride and feel good about your gift.

9 Kids with Mentors
Become a mentor this year, a priceless relationship that builds for our future. Brian White (Fighting, Twelve Rounds) president of Celebrity Relations for WARM2Kids , works to connect socially conscious celebrities, corporations and community organizations to create a support network that helps teens, families and youth reach their full potential. Get involved and volunteer with organizations like STOKED , WARM2Kids, NYFA and LA’s Best.

10 Schools in Uganda
Organizations like Invisible Children work to improve the quality of life for war-affected children by providing access to quality education, enhanced learning environments, and innovative economic opportunities for the community. One of their many programs, Schools for Schools, rebuilds schools, raises standards and challenges young people to actively participate. Help Marcus Price and Chad Ackerman in giving the gift of knowledge, economic freedom and education by buying a product that will change lives.

11 Wells for Water
Americans typically spend 470 billion dollars a year on holiday shopping. Just one-third of that would provide clean drinking water for every man, woman and child on the planet. Join Noah Segan (Brick, Deadgirl) and this year help provide water for those in need. With Charity: Water 100% of your donation will directly fund freshwater projects and wells in developing nations. So instead of sending clients champagne or chocolate for the holidays, make a donation in their name and build a well for a community in need through organizations like Charity:Water and Drop In The Bucket . By the way, Noah has over 270 scarves in his ever-growing collection, get him clean water for others this year.

12 Nets to Fight Mosquitos
Every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria. With roots in Sierra Leone, Nzinga Blake (The Causecast, Current TV) encourages you to help end the #1 killer of refugees in Africa: malaria. 275,000 nets are needed this season to prevent malaria related illness and with each donation and net purchased, you can help stop the problem now. With organizations like Jewish World Watch, Malaria No More and Nothing But Nets , you can buy a net for someone who needs it and hep save a life – the best gift possible.

Watch the 12 Days of Giving video now!

Watch the full length extended music video

Check out the entire cast on our Redefine Christmas PSA!

Special thanks to: Tucker Albrezzi, Sarah Carter (Dirty Sexy Money, Shark), Kestrin Pantera (Rita Rocks, Alter Eco, Weezer), Carly Craig (Role Models), Pat Pedraja, Joy Bryant (Antwone Fisher, Virtuality), Jack Healey, Sean Carasso, Ken Jeong (Role Models, Knocked Up), Lukas Haas (Musician, Entourage), Caitlin Coble, Ana-Maria Munoz and Heather Bright (TOMS shoes), Brian White (Fighting, Twelve Rounds), Noah Segan (Brick, Deadgirl), Nzinga Blake (The Causecast, Current TV), Marcus Price and Chad Ackerman (Invisible Children)