A Simple Way To Make A Difference
POSTED IN: Authenticity, Social Justice
A bottled water for you.
Clean water for children around the world.
It’s a no-brainer.
To date Ethos has raised over $6.2 million which will help an estimated 420,000 people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.
If you’re going to pick up a bottled water anyway, grab one of these instead from your nearest Starbucks.
What are some of the little things you do to help make a difference in the world around you?
This entry was posted on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 9:58 am and is filed under Authenticity, Social Justice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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June 26, 2008
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Just this week I decided to carry a dollar around with me everywhere I go with the word “LOVE” Sharpied on it in red. I plan on giving it to someone that needs it as often as I see a need, whether its someone on the side of the street, or someone in line that needs it. On top of someone getting a dollar they need, I get a constant reminder in my pocket that it is better to give than receive!
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June 26, 2008
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@ryan – dude, that is so cool! What a great idea! I’m going to have to try that.
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June 26, 2008
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Whenever I get Starbucks, I get an ethos water too. I cant do much, but I do what I can.
Kelli Brownlees last blog post..How I Got Over
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June 26, 2008
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@Kelli – May I remind you of the quote I shared a couple weeks ago?
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June 26, 2008
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I wrote on the same subject a while ago. Check it out.
http://www.readscott.com/a-cure-for-the-ethos-scam/
http://www.readscott.com/more-on-the-ethos-scam/
Read Scotts last blog post..A Plant That Talks and Facebook Love
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June 26, 2008
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dude i love that quote..(and the wallpaper you made to go along with it) But it is so true. If we all do what we can no matter how small it adds up to be something HUGE. This year has been I have been trying to be more “green” minded in my every day life.
Adams last blog post..Another Day…
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June 26, 2008
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@ReadScott – While I agree that I would love to see more of the money from a bottle of Ethos water go towards well-drilling, I wouldn’t call it a scam. Starbucks (who bought Ethos) very clearly states on their web site exactly how much money is designated out of each bottle of water.
If you’re passionate about clean water in under-developed countries I’m sure you could find better organizations to donate money to such as http://www.onedrop.org or http://www.bloodwatermission.com.
My point is that lots of people making little changes (buying a different bottled water) can make a big difference ($6.2 million).
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June 26, 2008
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Thanks for the reminder Brad! : )
Kelli Brownlees last blog post..How I Got Over
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June 26, 2008
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Agreed. Everyone else seemed to be offering only positive comments. I wanted to be a rebel. You know I love you, Brad.
Read Scotts last blog post..A Plant That Talks and Facebook Love
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June 26, 2008
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Man, I have to agree with @ReadScott on this one…
Even if just on the principle of math:
A bottle of Ethos water is about $1.40. A larger bottle of Deer Park is about $1.00, and that’s if you buy a single bottle at a gas station. If you just go with the cheaper water and then give the balance to, for example the Blood Water Mission, then you’re still doing more good.
Right?
I think this is important because lives are at stake. Some folks replied, “I can’t do much…” but if you skipped buying ONE bottle of Ethos water and just drank a glass from the tap, the $1.40 you could afford to give is worth as much charity as a case of Ethos water…
I’m not at all against Ethos water, because I know that some people will buy it and wouldn’t give that money any other way. I’m just saying that if you really care, there are much more efficient ways to go…
Zacks last blog post..12 Sins We Blame On Others
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June 26, 2008
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I participate in Mission Fish on Ebay. However, I would love for one of my many business ideas to take off so I can become a philanthropist. As a professional fundraiser, I think the world needs more of those who realize that their money isn’t really theirs(it’s God’s). Jon Huntsman is my hero.
nates last blog post..Uh, Oh…Here We Go Again (Dobson, Evangelicals, and Party Alliances)
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June 26, 2008
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just thought I’d throw out how much I love Ryan’s idea at the top.
CJ Millss last blog post..Dear Jadyn…
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June 26, 2008
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I try to give blood as often as possible. In fact I am going today to give.
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June 26, 2008
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Agree with Read Scott… but how many people put their money where their mouth is?
I take a giant glass of water with me everywhere, so I don’t buy bottled water. But I don’t remember to donate, either, and I should. My bad.
And I too love Ryan’s idea. Spread the love.
Lisa @ put-it-on-the-lists last blog post..A Sad and Scary Few Days
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June 26, 2008
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You guys are awesome.
I don’t completely disagree with @readscott and @nate. There ARE better places you can direct your money that will make a bigger difference. If everyone did what Nate suggested and skipped the bottled water to give the money to Blood:Water mission, we could radically change the lives of millions of people. The problem is, people don’t. I don’t. We have the best of intentions but they are often just that – intentions.
The discussion that is taking shape here is what I’m encouraged by. The point is not who is giving more to what mission. The point is are you doing SOMETHING…ANYTHING? It’s a conscious decision to change the way you think and what you buy.
For some people who don’t even think about clean water in Africa, it may start with a bottle of Ethos water. But then it may lead to a passion to give hundreds or thousands of dollars to similar efforts.
Every revolution starts small.
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June 26, 2008
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I buy bottles of water to support impoverished people so I can fill the landfill with more plastic…just playin’
Vinces last blog post..Keep Your Gat Son
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June 26, 2008
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One of our pastors recently moved to a church in Colorado that works directly with a village in Africa. Their lead pastor’s approach is interesting (and much more long-range than most Christians can muster). He says it’s all well and good to buy mosquito nets — but then people live longer, and you must provide for them. So he works toward clean water for that village. Then he works toward teaching the village to sustain itself and initiate commerce with the villages around it so that not only do those people fare better, but so do the villages around it.
Now that kind of approach I can get behind. Bring it!
Lisa @ put-it-on-the-lists last blog post..A Sad and Scary Few Days
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June 26, 2008
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Brad I will have to respectfully disagree,
#1) The more obvious thing is that the prices for everything at Starbucks are incredibly jacked up. If you drink coffee there you are in effect spending money like nobody’s business. To be exact, you are willing to pay $32.00 a gallon for coffee. Unless you are a professional athlete or a rock star that is just bad stewardship.
#2) If you spend your money at Starbucks you are indirectly supporting PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppcw/files/ColumbiaWillamette/Matching_gift_companies.pdf
Brad I know you probably didn’t know about this. I used to be a major Starbucks enthusiest until I learned about this. I encourage everyone to support a foreign missionary, many of whom are working to bring the GOSPEL along with fresh water to the third world.
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June 26, 2008
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Brad,
I had to follow that first post on this thread with this. I will have to say, though I probably don’t agree with you on a lot of methodology and maybe a little on theology, you allow contrarian voices to be heard on your blog. That to me says an awful lot about your credibility, transparency, sincerity, maturity and GUTS ! Thanks for the vine.
-Jud
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June 26, 2008
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Honey,
I have to disagree with you on this one….
First of all, Ethos is extremely over priced. So if you are going to drink bottled water, go to the store buy a large pack and put it in the fridge to grab on the run.
Secondly, we really need to get away from bottled water as much as possible. It is causing a major landfill problem. 8 out of 10 water bottles used, do not get recycled.
There are now insulated water bottles that you can refill and take on the run. I have not switched our family to this yet but plan to soon.
Another small thing we can do in an effort to take care of our enviroment…..
I love you!
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June 26, 2008
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Dang! I’m just getting SLAMMED on this post!! Even my own wife is getting in on the action!
I love it that you are all honest enough to disagree with me. I think this is a topic I want to come back to in a future post.
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June 26, 2008
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Get the kind of bottles that are made from non-leaching plastic if you are going to do the re-fill and go thing like I do. It’s the same kind of plastic that most of the big water cooler bottles are made of. You don’t want the kind of plastic that leaches the cancer causing junk into your water.
That way you can grow to be very old and die of nothing.
-Jud
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June 26, 2008
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LOL….. so much for the no-brainer part
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June 26, 2008
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When I worked in a daycare I had all of the kids make cards for Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, Independence Day and Halloween for the soldiers in Iraq. The kids had a blast making them and the soldiers enjoyed receiving them. I sent them to my cousin who was there, he said that our cards were strung from one end of the camp to the other…and brought smiles to everyone there.
spatulahandles last blog post..Have a Little Faith!
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June 26, 2008
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OK, so what I’m getting from this post…Brad Ruggles hates people getting clean water.
OK, I think I got it…
Clayton Bells last blog post..Prayer urgently needed!
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June 26, 2008
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I got tagged to write a 6 word memoir, now I am tagging you.
http://spatulahandle.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/im-iti-got-tagged/
spatulahandles last blog post..I’m it…I got tagged!
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June 27, 2008
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I think this kind of bottled water donation thing is great, but if you work through the math it means that Starbucks are making like $385,000,000 through the sales of Ethos, and only donating $10m back.
I’m not saying they shouldn’t make money, but if they’re twisting my arm to buy it based on my charitable nature then they should be a bit more honest – or donate more!!
Volvic did the same thing – spent $6m on an ad campaign to donate $200,000 to charity……something smells a bit odd here! Big corporate abusing our good nature????
My advise…..don’t get suckered, look behind the facts a bit.
Great blog though Brad – really enjoy your creativity.
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June 27, 2008
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I’m a badly jetlagged brit sitting in an LA airport hotel at 3am reading your blog and rehydrating myself with some vitamin enhanced ‘fitness’ water – I was in a Target store getting some basics earlier and went to get some water… I saw Ethos – it was $1.79 and the packaging said it donated 5c.
Had it been marketed as a great water that also makes a donation to charity – I wouldn’t have an issue, but it was the fact that the brands ‘Ethos’ and ‘charitable nature’ were clearly so central to it’s branding that left a bitter taste in my mouth. Giving anything is better than giving nothing – but when you asking consumers to make a choice on the basis of your ‘ethical credentials’ then you better be prepared to open the books and show the big picture.
G’night
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June 27, 2008
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[...] you hadn’t noticed, I got hammered in yesterday’s blog post. I’m talking two black eyes and kick to the stomach. Even my own wife disagreed with [...]
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June 28, 2008
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[...] new blog friend Brad Ruggles had this post and this post on his blog for the past couple of days. The conversations have been great, a little [...]
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January 9, 2009
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bloggers in Indonesia collects coins (coin money) from other bloggers. 1 coin is about Rp.500.
And for your information, currency for $1 is about Rp.11.000. So, how many dollar Rp.500 is?
You will find the link here.
http://coinachance.wordpress.com/
I know, Bloggers will make a difference