A Part of Something Big Offers Father's Day Gifts for Do-Gooder Dads

This Father's Day, give Dad a gift that gives back (instead of a gift he would like to give back).

Let's face it: Shopping for Father's Day can be tough. Sure you can buy another necktie or some golf balls, but what if you want something that says, "Thanks for making me a better person, Dad"? If your dad is the type who puts a premium on making the world a better place, we've got an idea for you.

A Part of Something Big is a fund raising organization with a full lineup of cool Father's Day gifts that are as thoughtful as your old man. In addition to offering a selection of fairly traded products with small ecological footprints, A Part of Something Big contributes 25% of each purchase to benefit the charity of your (or your Dad's) choice. It's a win-win all around.

To get the lowdown on this year's best socially-aware Father's Day gift items, Holidash tracked down A Part of Something Big co-founder Richard Averitt, and picked his brain about what's hot for cool Dads this Father's Day.


Holidash: In a nutshell, how do A Part of Something Big's fund raising efforts work?

Averitt: In a nutshell, any way that serves your community. Seriously. You can run an online campaign, a catalog campaign, a family buying circle, or even a sales event. Anytime you put time and energy into a concerted sales push, we donate 40% to your school or organization sponsoring the campaign. Then, the rest of the year, you can use our templates and our sales email to remind people to use A Part of Something Big. From Valentine's Day to Father's Day or mom's birthday, we will donate 25% to your favorite charity or school organization. Again, leaving buyers feeling great about helping our great suppliers meet their social missions.

Holidash: Is offering socially conscious items part of A Part of Something Big's overall mission?

Averitt: I would say it is fundamental to our mission. We know that most people don't buy fundraising products because they "want" them. They buy them out of charity towards the kids, an organization, or out of guilt. We hope to change that by offering quality products you can enjoy and feel really good about. In return, you will buy because of the causes they support.

Holidash: What are your most popular Father's Day gift items this year?

Averitt: Coffee – Dad always needs it and there is no better coffee around than "Larry's Beans Fair Trade Cowboy Blend." Recycled golf balls – summer is here and dad's are hitting the course. Re-using perfectly good golf balls make the "shankopotamus in all of us" feel better when we crank one into the woods. Camelbak Podium Bottle – Dad is going to spend a lot of time in the yard this season and he'll be thirsty. Just one of these podium bottles can save you literally hundreds of dollars in bottled water. It will also keep an average of 247 virgin plastic bottles from the landfills in one year!

Holidash: Give it to us straight -- which Father's Day item is the coolest, in your opinion?

Averitt: Without a doubt, my favorite is the Light and Water bottle - LightCap 300. I don't actually use it as a water bottle, but as dry storage for maps, keys or small electronics when I am rafting or camping. When dark falls, it works beautifully to read by or play a game of poker! Just remember to take your stuff out so the light can reflect off the inside of the bottle.

If you're interested in putting together a fundraising effort for your children's school or your community group, but you're tired of peddling giftwrap and candy bars, contact A Part of Something Big. In addition to dad-friendly items, they've got quite a collection of socially-aware bath and body items and a great selection of stuff for kids.