I just hope to bring a little more attention in some small way to the gripping food and healthcare crisis in East Africa. The biggest drought they’ve experienced in 60 years has left millions (the latest estimate is about 12 million) desperately short of food and clean water.

“Every day of delay in assistance is literally a matter of life or death for children and their families in the famine-affected areas,” says Mark Bowden, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia.

I’m looking at some of the full plates of food in the pictures I post (not to mention the trays of food that can practically tipping off the table when it’s time to break fast this month), and it’s really hard to fathom not having any of it after a whole day of not eating. But that’s the reality of the people there right now. I urge anyone who has the means, even if it’s a few dollars, to donate to the cause. HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO HELP:

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Here’s one way to get into the Ramadan spirit (and for a good cause too!): South Asian webzine, Divanee, has partnered up with NYC-bakery, Butter Lane Cupcakes, to create these Ramadan-inspired treats (available from now until August 29th). They cost $4 each of which $1 will go straight to benefiting Save A Mother, a nonprofit dedicated to maternal health.

Hope you consider ordering some for those iftar (fast breaking) dinners you may be hosting — or for your favorite fasting friend (pick me!). Trust me, after a 16-hour fast, it’d be considered one exceptionally sweet gesture.

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I don’t know if you remember when I went ombre with my hair, and did it at none other than Sam Brocato Salon. Their staff is pretty wonderful, and in case you’re due for a haircut, you can get it done for $55 this Sunday, August 7th! All proceeds will benefit the Rosa Vera Fund (which helps provide medical treatments for the children of Montero, Bolivia).

Call 212-334-3777 to book your appointment! For more information on the Cut-A-Thon, CLICK HERE.

x
Shy

*hair cuts don’t include shampoo or blow dry

By Summar Ghias

Kiehl’s is giving holidays shoppers the opportunity to elevate winter gift giving to warm and fuzzy philanthropic levels: take artist Jeff Koons’ collaboration with the brand to design a limited edition label for their Crème de Crops holiday collection

. Not only is the 16.9 oz bottle of lotion ($45) an extreme moisturizer with the goods (such as Beta-Carotene and sesame oil) to combat dry winter skin, but the label features an image of Koons’ installation “Large Vase of Flowers” and gives 100% of profit to the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Art, soft, moisturized skin, and a good cause? No wonder this tops my list of holiday gift ideas.

By Melissa Stephans

Koi New York, the Japanese restaurant known for signature dishes like Crispy Rice Topped with Spicy Tuna, is in the giving spirit this season.  Starting this Friday, December 10th, the Bryant Park Hotel’s popular dining spot is giving customers a complimentary sake, champagne, or cocktail of choice for every unwrapped children’s book or toy donated to them ($10 minimum value).  All toys and books will be donated to the Today Show Toy Drive, benefitting needy families all over the United States.

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By Melissa Stephans

I’m such a sales skeptic, so when a company declares itself to be “Luxury with a Conscience,” I say “prove it.” Well, Josie Maran must have heard me, because homegirl clearly put her money where her mouth…um, eyelashes are.

This fall, the eco-concious model-turned-business woman has teamed up with cancer care center City of Hope to launch the heartwarming Get One Give One (GOGO) campaign.  For every GOGO Natural Volume Argan Mascara ($22) purchased, the lovely Miss Maran will have her company donate one mascara to a cancer patient or survivor associated with the hospital.  After the first 5,000 mascaras are donated, Josie Maran will continue to donate $1 from the sale of each GOGO mascara to the City of Hope’s research, treatment and education of women’s cancers.

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