I will forever remember 2020 as the time you made it possible for Janery to directly help so very many people in our communities. Thank you.
In January 2020 we had no idea what the year had in store for us. But as it ended, we'd made a tangible difference in many lives. None of this could have been done without your support and encouragement.
This isn’t the first time Janery has given back - but it was the first year we were able to give back in such a big way.
(If you prefer to watch and listen rather than read, scroll to the bottom for my video discussing our 2020 philanthropic efforts.)
Every year, Janery gives back 5% of all sales to Richmond Animal League in honor of my first two dogs, Merlin and Charlie, the pup that inspired me to start Janery in the first place. Throughout each year, I also donate products to nonprofit auctions, though the many donation requests I receive constantly exceed my budget.
As Janery grew (often faster than I could easily keep up with) in 2020, I was so very excited to do more for organizations creating positive change in their communities. Groups helping people weather the physical and economic impact of the pandemic.
It began in the spring, when Janery donated over 1,300 masks to front line workers, senior care facilities, homeless shelters, and more of our nation’s most vulnerable people.
Once personal protective equipment (PPE) for front line workers became more readily available we shifted our focus to families impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learning that the 1 in 4 families is experiencing food insecurity due to the pandemic, I decided that each face mask purchase would sponsor 10 food bank meals. In 2020, we sponsored almost 10,000 meals to those in need.
These food bank sponsorships will continue in 2021, because hunger will (sadly) continue as well.
Here’s a glimpse at the people and organizations Janery was able to support in 2020.
The Richmond Animal League
The Richmond Animal League (RAL) holds a special place in my heart because I was living in Richmond when I found Charlie and Merlin, the two street dogs who inspired the birth of Janery. RAL makes a difference for so many pets and people in Richmond. It is a privilege to give back to their efforts with 5% of our sales going to help homeless pets. You can read more about our involvement with RAL here.
Follow the Richmond Animal League on Instagram and Facebook
The Black Fairy Godmother
When I discovered Simone Gordon, the Black Fairy Godmother, on Instagram last year, I was blown away by her story and her absolutely tireless work for individuals and families in need of emergency assistance.
As a single mom, she managed to raise money to put herself through nursing school while caring for her son who has autism. Inspired by her success crowdfunding her education, she realized she could mobilize her network to help other women in need.
Every day she’s inundated with requests for emergency assistance - from families escaping abusive homes to women in desperate need of diapers and formula, and more recently, with requests for emergency rent assistance for families affected by Covid.
I am especially passionate about supporting The Black Fairy Godmother because her organization is able to immediately provide emergency assistance, rather than families getting tied up in the lengthy bureaucratic processes that larger organizations deal with.
In 2021 I will continue to support Simone Gordon’s work.
You can watch her interview with Kelly Clarkson here.
Follow The Black Fairy Godmother on Instagram and Facebook
Ebony’s Haven
Ebony is a high school friend who started her nonprofit organization after seeing a need for literacy programs in her city of Wilmington, DE. Before Covid hit Ebony's Haven sponsored fantastic outreach activities - setting up book giveaways and sponsoring kids essay contests.
When Janery had an especially successful few months in 2020, I decided to donate some of my share of the profits to Ebony's Haven. This helped her lead a back-to-school school supply and book giveaway for kids in need.
Supporting my hometown and the kids who live there is important to me, especially when it comes to the gift of reading. Change begins with our youth!
I will continue to support Ebony’s Haven in 2021 as she works to increase literacy and support school-aged children and their parents.
Follow Ebony’s Haven on Instagram and Facebook
Fair Fight Action/Stacey Abrams
I strongly believe in the importance of equality and voting rights. I first learned of the inequalities facing many Americans when my mother volunteered in Wilmington, DE - helping city-dwelling, low-income, and non-English speaking residents get registered to vote, as well as driving voters to and from their polling places during elections.
Because of this, I was inspired to support Stacey Abrams’ organization Fair Fight, an organization working to eradicate voter suppression and other issues in Georgia and the rest of the country.
Follow Fair Fight Action on Instagram and Facebook
Photo by Celeste Giuliano Photography HMUA: Raina Clarke
Pinups for Pitbulls
Pinups for Pitbulls has a soft spot for bully breeds, and so do I. My dog Charlie taught me of their devotion and love first hand. Sadly, they are often overlooked at shelters and rescues which is why I’m proud to support an organization that lends a helping paw to this sweet breed.
Their mission statement says it all: “to educate the public and empower canine advocates through science-based facts in order to lead their communities by representing responsible pet ownership; striving toward all dogs being accepted as individuals.”
Follow Pinups for Pitbulls on Instagram and Facebook
Clarke County Education Foundation
2020 was a challenging year for parents, students and teachers which is why it was important to me to give back to organizations supporting the teachers, students, and schools in our rural county. CCEF augments public school funding through scholarships, grants, and school supplies - because schools never receive all the help they need.
Follow The Clarke County Education Foundation on Facebook
Clarke County (VA) Adopt-A-Family
A dedicated network of volunteers at FISH provide food to high-need families in my local community, Clarke County, on a weekly basis. Pre-Covid they also operated a clothes closet so that families could shop for free.
After a very successful year, I was excited to pay it forward by sponsoring multiple "angel tree families" in my community.
A grandmother and her young granddaughter requested underwear and socks for the little girl, and nothing for the grandmother. With your help, we were able to provide the 6 year old with those necessities as well as a winter coat, hat, gloves, snow boots, sneakers, several warm outfits, a doll, and Picasso Tiles.
Thanks to the generosity of the Janery community, we were able to surprise the grandmother with a $100 gift card as well as some small gifts. She was overwhelmed with gratitude and tears upon receipt of the gifts. And my heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness. <3
Because pet parents were also part of the adopt-a-family program, Janery gifted cat food, beds, toys, and cat litter to some elderly people in need in the community. Thank you to Daily Dally for donating the circle bolster cat bed below!
Follow FISH on Facebook.
Remember: You helped make all of this possible. When you shop with Janery, you aren't just helping me feed family of pets and humans; you are helping me ensure others are fed as well. Our giving will continue in 2021 and I'm excited to do even more than last year.
I shared a live update discussing some of Janery’s philanthropic work in 2020, which you can watch right here:
