Grin and Tonic March 17, 2008

At Urban Socialite.com we’re all about looking good and feeling good at the same time. That’s why I’m sure you’ll love the collection of t-shirts at Tonic Generation. Not only will you look fabulous in one of their four eye-catching designs, you’ll also feel great about your purchase. Take for instance the “School Tee” pictured above. Each school Tee purchased will help educate three children in India for one year. Why they chose this project:

There are nearly half a billion children in India, millions of who live on the streets and railway platforms. One teacher, Inderjit Khurana, saw that most of them spent their days begging from those very platforms instead of going to school. So she decided to bring the school to them.

The children who inhabit the railway platforms of Bhubhaneshwar have been the victims of abuse, starvation, poverty, and neglect. They have been exploited for child labor and prostitution. As a schoolteacher, Inderjit Khurana used to take the train to work and would see these children begging for money and food from train passengers instead of attending school. She was convinced that they would never escape these conditions without proper education. So in 1985, Inderjit took matters into her own hands and created the “platform school.” She assembled books and writing slates and went to the train platforms to teach the children the basics of reading and writing. Today, Inderjit’s school reaches 4,500 students every year through her organization, Ruchika Social Service Organization (RSSO). With just a few dedicated volunteers and staff, the organization provides safety, nutrition, and education to kids who otherwise faced a life on the streets.

Aside from this noble cause, Tonic Generation also supports “Bed Nets Against Malaria,” “Restoring Sustainable Forests,” and “Water For Life.“The company seeks to show that capitalism and social good can co-exist. They do this by handing over a big chunk of their revenue 40% on average, to the people who need it most. More from Tonic: “The good news is that we’re not in competition for dollars you donate to other worthy non-profits. We just sell you stylish stuff and support meaningful causes along the way. Buy a t-shirt and help build schools in India. Or send bed nets to prevent malaria in Africa. Or plant trees in our forests. See the difference you can make exercising your purchasing power.”

Tonic works by partnering with secular non-profits in four key areas – the environment, education, social welfare and poverty. All of their cause partners have proven track records in what they do best, are committed to action now, and ensure that support reaches its destination quickly and efficiently.Thank me later for this perfect excuse to stock up for the summer.

*** By the way, I’m in the process of revamping this site a bit. If its a bit tweaky over the next week or so, please forgive as I promise it will look great when it’s done!