A dream of mine has been to start a charity that would help others. But not just by giving a handout.

No doubt you're heard the phrase "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". So I want to give, not a handout, but a hand up. I want to give in such a way that my money will keep being reinvested.

I'm not in a place where I can start my own charity just yet, so for the time being I am going to support some others. I have chosen several that are involved in micro-lending.

In a nutshell, these organizations lend money to people who need very small loans (at least in comparsion to what we're used to). They may use these loans to start or grow small businesses that will give them a chance to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Because these are loans, the money is repaid to the lending agency and is reinvested again in another family.

So when you purchase an item from Willowrose Cottage, part of the profit goes to one of these organizations. And you not only get something you will enjoy but you are also investing in the lives of others in a powerful way - in a way that keeps on giving. How neat is that!