Going Down, Down, Down to help the Gulf

by Christina Refford | Doing Good

Though I haven’t seen the Gulf of Mexico since I was a teen, I’ll never forget the color and warmth of the turquoise-blue water that lured me in until I was wrinkled and waterlogged. It’s those waters and the creatures most affected by them that The...

The Marte brings you shopping to benefit schools? How cool.

by Cool Mom Team | Doing Good

I’m what you’d call a crazy flea market/craft fair/art festival devotee. I could spend every weekend seeking out cool local artisans in church basements and school parking lots–provided there’s also a lemonade stand or cider donuts so I can...

With a KaBOOM!, we can get kids outside to play

by Christina Refford | Doing Good

One of the greatest joys of suburbia is the big green playground in our back yard–which makes not having decent sushi down the block almost worth it. But it bums me out that there are loads of kids who can’t just walk to a great place to play because there...

Save Handmade – CPSIA Update

by Cool Mom Team | Doing Good

We’ve been following the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and its negative effect on the handmade products and small businesses we love, ever since the very beginning. And so, we wanted to pass along some updates, so that you can help us save...

To Mama With Love will make your mama proud she raised such a great kid

by Christina Refford | Doing Good

I spend a lot of time looking at great Mother’s Day gifts (anyone see our Mother’s Day Gift Guide?) but that doesn’t mean I don’t procrastinate right along with the best of you.  Which is why I can practically smell the annual...

A penny saved is a piece of the planet saved

by Carrie | Doing Good

One of the things about all those pennies laying around at the bottom of drawers or under the couch is that they are, well, laying around doing nothing. Rather than leave those coins to clog up the vacuum cleaner, why not use your extra pennies as a way to get your...

Cool Mom Picks loves ebay’s World of Good

by Cool Mom Team | Doing Good

When World of Good by eBay invited us to pick our favorite fair trade Mother’s Day gifts, we replied with a resounding “yes!” What better way to celebrate moms than with products that support people and communities in need.So we scoured the thousands...

A second reason it’s nice when your kids outgrow their Care Bears DVD

by Christina Refford | Doing Good

My kids are outgrowing more than their clothes: We now have dozens of DVDs that are considered too “babyish” for my precocious offspring. Instead of just leaving them in an ever-growing pile in my basement, I’m sending my stack to Kidflicks.org who...

Environmentally friendly school fundraiser? Reader Q&A

by Christina Refford | Doing Good

I’m trying to find a good elementary school fundraiser for my daughter’s school to change things up a bit in the coming school year. I’d love to do one that doesn’t involve that ubiquitous cookie dough or wrapping paper….and would be...

Dog lovers of the world, unite!

by Cool Mom Team | Doing Good

I’ve seen first hand the joy that pets can give to people who really need it, which is why we’re so honored to be part of the It’s Good to Give series sponsored by Milk-Bone, which helps support the Canine Assistants Program.Since I was never allowed...

For kids who walk around with a light bulb blinking over their heads

by Stephanie Slate | Doing Good

Earth Day is fast-approaching, but this isn’t just any Earth Day. This year happens to mark the 40th anniversary of the eco-celebration and to celebrate, Design Squad on PBS KIDS GO is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th....

Let’s hear it for birthdays and the American Cancer Society!

by Cool Mom Team | Doing Good

We are always exceedingly grateful to all of our sponsors at Cool Mom Picks, big and small, because they are the ones who allow us to do what we do here. But there’s one in particular that we want to give an extra-special shout-out to, because we so love...