Care2′s New Holiday Program; Kiva among Partners

Thanksgiving is upon us, and with it, lots of overeating, time with family, and the start of the holiday shopping season. Many of us are not the ones who rush to the malls on black Friday, elbow our way through crowds, and walk away with large box purchases at a discount. We tend to spend black Fridays sitting around the fireplace with family, relaxing, and eating lots of leftovers. But inevitably, Thanksgiving is the time of year when we start to think about the kind of gifts we would like to give. And while video games and gift cards are on the list for nieces and nephews, those of us in the Care2 community hope to be able give back to the world in a way that really captures the spirit of the holiday season.

Last Thursday, Care2 launched a new program with that kind of giving in mind. Through the Butterfly Rewards Program , a Care2 member will earn credits for actions taken on the site (such as commenting on this post!), and be able to redeem those credits for gifts to good causes, such as a day of clean drinking water for a child, a toy for a homeless pet, or the planting of a tree. “This program makes it incredibly easy and fun to make a difference – in a very personal way,” said Randy Paynter, President and Founder of Care2. “Each person can decide which project to support with the credits they earn…. and with millions of members taking action across the site, we’re excited to see the collective impact we can make.”

One of the program’s gift partners is Kiva, the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending Web site. Kiva empowers individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe. Through the Butterfly Rewards Program, Care2 members can redeem their credits for donations to three loans: Alice Kavuha, a Kenyan woman who sells household items; Madrona Montilla, a woman in Peru who seeks to expand her produce market; and Leng Chim, a Cambodian broom saleswoman who wants to expand her business. The Butterfly Rewards program will run through the holidays and beyond. As you are thinking about gift giving this holiday season, please consider joining the Care2 community in giving gifts to the world.

istockphoto
by Laurie Peterson, Director, Product Management

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Laura M.

1:36PM PST on Feb 16, 2011

yay butterfly points! i'm getting some right now!

send a green star

Helle H.

5:28AM PDT on Jul 17, 2010

The butterfly rewards gives me an oppertuity to plant trees, which I otherwise couldn't have done

Bonnie B.

7:27AM PST on Jan 2, 2010

Great way to help others while helping ourselves!

gerlinde p.

6:22AM PST on Jan 2, 2010

was the reason i finally joined.

Jane H.

8:47AM PST on Jan 1, 2010

I am loving the butterfly rewards program--- it's given me the drive to really become a part of Care2 !! I love spending those rewards on such important items for the world!! Thank you!!

Billie H.

2:14PM PST on Dec 11, 2009

I'm proud to be a part of the Butterfly Rewards program.

Teresa W.

11:30AM PST on Nov 27, 2009

I already participate in the Butterfly Rewards programme, or else I wouldn't leave any comments. I do it only in order to get butterfly credits to exchange for such humane gifts as clean water, mosquito nets, etc. :-)

Past Member .

10:18AM PST on Nov 24, 2009

I am definitely getting behind this! Kudos!

Kathy D.

7:24AM PST on Nov 24, 2009

What a great idea!

Gale J.

7:19AM PST on Nov 24, 2009

I was, when I first noticed something about rewards, worried that Care2 was offering some sort of redemption plan offering the kind of trinkets often seen on survey sites and from the banks. I was so pleased when I looked into it and saw what was happening. I have been part of Care2 for some time and appreciate the services and opportunities it provides and it is nice that now with this new program I can participate in Care2 and, with this program, "Pay It Forward." Thanks Care2!