This Mother’s Day, I’m working with Clever Girls in support of Macy’s Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the “trade, not aid” program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

Dear Creatives, I have to share a little bit of why Heart of Haiti has touched me so much & why I want to help spread the word to help Haitian artisans to rebuild their lives. My grandma was from a large family, life wasn’t simple on the farm in Texas. As an older woman who still had struggles, but had all the necessities needed she taught me to be understanding & helping to others in need. Something I carry with me to this day.

 It was the earthquake of Dec. 22, 2003 when we experienced the earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5.

Paso Robles, CA Earthquake 2003Wiki Pedia

Flash back to 2003 & the Paso Robles, CA Earthquake; with grate fear that day we both (Krissy & I) ran down the hall to get Sammie who was then still just a baby, floors rocking like a ship at sea in a storm, walls moving, feeling dizzy & not knowing where we would be safe as this was the most violent earthquake we had experienced. We were lucky, with only minor damages to our home & no injuries, but someone I knew wasn’t as lucky. A young man who worked for me at the time, I saw on  tv during the news, his fiancee was in the downtown brick building that totally collapsed. She was killed in the earthquake.

Later while attending the services which packed the church I could only image the heartache for this family & my co worker. Now when I hear of natural disasters I have a taste of the devastation & pain it can cause.  Here our town square was rebuilt, but two lost their lives that day & 40 others injured. This wasn’t my first big earthquake, but it was the first where I knew a person that lost their life. I can’t imagine if I lost everything &  how we would rebuild or survive!

  January 12, 2010 Haiti Earthquake 7.0

Haiti 2010 Earthquake {Wiki Pedia}

90 percent of the town’s buildings had been destroyed. 3 million people had been affected by the quake

Now, fast forward to today! Helping Heart of Haiti.

The loss of life & of Haiti was far worse than I have seen in my lifetime, I applaud & support Macy’s Heart of Haiti program! Supporting so many, just like Pascale. ( her story above) I hope you will too! Know we can help in such a simple way by supporting this program. To find out more about it visit Macy’s Heart of Haiti where you can see videos of artisan communities & how its done, or simple make a purchase to give someone special this mother’s day. There are so many choices, not just jewelry to give that special mom or mom to be. From vases, frames, pot holders, serving ware……

Here are only a  few examples of the beautiful craftsmanship of Heart of Haiti.

All the items are beautifully hand crafted from the artisans of Haiti. This mother’s day I am giving Krissy a follow your heart necklace as a reminder of how blessed we were that day & to share the memory of my grandmother, along with my mom who have been gone from our lives, but their messages are still carried in our heart. To reach out & help others in need, along with being taught to follow our passions. I sincerely hope you join me in helping to continue to help Haiti rebuild their communities.

{Heart of Haiti} Listen to the stories, meet the artisans, find out how its helping & to make a purchase.

What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s. Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the country.

Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.

Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.

What life lessons have you taken from your special grandma, mom, step mom or mother figure? How are you honoring them this Mother’s Day?

Thank you to Macy’s Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart” promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.