Between busy weekends at the beach and extended vacations, it's easy for summer to fly by without remembering those who are in need. TODAY style editor and Bobbie.com's Bobbie Thomas shares a few ways to lend a hand this time of year – because giving never goes out of season.
See clearly
In addition to offering up chic styles, glasses retailer Warby Parker's "Buy a Pair, Give a Pair" program has been providing prescription glasses to developing nations. I was shocked to learn that one billion people worldwide don't have access to glasses and that they can actually increase one's income by 20 percent, making glasses one of the most effective poverty alleviating tools. All the more reason to pick up your next pair (warbyparker.com, $95).
Share the love
While Love Quotes scarves are a celebrity style staple gracing the shoulders of stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Aniston, they also reach far beyond Hollywood with their dedication to Free the Children charity. The foundation empowers youngsters here in the US to help their overseas counterparts, and along with donations from Love Quotes, Free the Children is building desperately-needed schools across the globe in countries like Haiti, Kenya, and Sierra Leone (lovequotesnyc.com, $88).
Be a peacekeeper
True "girl's girls" will love to learn about Peacekeeper Cause-metics, the first beauty collection to give all of its profits to women's health advocacy and urgent human rights issues. The organization works at the base of the economic pyramid, providing aid to women who live in servitude or are forced to survive on mere dollars a day. Even more, they pride their products on having "no nasty anything"– items are formaldehyde, paraben, preservative and synthetic-free (iamapeacekeeper.com, $3.89-12)
Color me cured
Perfect for polish fanatics, Color Me Cured is a non-profit nail collection with the sole purpose of raising money for cancer research. Founded by a high school sophomore whose father was struck with the disease, Color Me Cured uses the highest quality ingredients and comes in fun, fashionable shades that will win the approval of even the toughest nail buffs – "Power of Pink" and "Glimmer of Hope" are two favorites. (colormecured.org, $9.00)
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