I am working on trying to find media outlets on a cool story about being good. Not being good, like be-a-good-Sunday-School-girl-in-a-clean-dress, but being good in a way that takes some tenacity and creativity.
Keith Reynolds lives in Whistler. I haven’t met him yet but I plan on it. He is an early retiree guy who has decided the kids in some of the worst places on earth should have playgrounds. To that end, he’s started an organization that, to date, has put up 28 playgrounds in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq. See what I mean?
All monies raised go directly to the playgrounds because all the operating costs and time are donated. Locals bid on the projects to build the playgrounds creating employment and investment in the outcome. Kids have a place to have a few happy moments and the parents get to see their kids have something resembling a few minutes of childhood.
Partial proceeds from the sale of Zeitouna extra virgin olive oil helps fund these programs too. This organic oil is one of the few opportunities of employment available, especially to women, in Palestine.
My plan is to get this story some press. It is also to help get more of the Palestinian olive oil in to wider distribution.
I’ve added the website to the playground site and the olive oil site. I figure Kevin & I already go through buckets of olive oil, why not focus our spending where it can make a difference?