With the New Year quickly approaching, I ask you, what good have you accomplished this year? Resolutions oftentimes consist of losing weight, quitting bad habits, getting organized, and spending less. Now, while all of those are great goals to set, is that really the best we can do? If you could make a difference in your town, would you? If you were capable of bettering someone’s life, would you? If you had the power to save our world, would you? Now, what if I told you that you could and you do, would you still?
I have always been a firm believer in the fact that one can only drive out hatred with kindness and only get through the darkness after first finding light. We can only create a great tomorrow by changing our actions today. As people, we need to simply do what we can to better ourselves, our children, our families, our communities, our states, our nations, and, in turn, our world.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
-Native American Proverb
Teaching our children the importance of philanthropy and empowering them to give back to our communities and those less fortunate is one of the most important lessons that you can give. It is also the easiest. I see many parents live by the “do as I say, not as I do” stigma but in order to better our world we must, first, better ourselves. Teach your children by showing them. Get them involved.
Monkeez and Friends is an educational and charitable initiative created by, teacher and mother, Chrysti Carol Propes. The collection features over ninety lovable plush characters that all contain a special code. This code allows children access to the world of Monkeez Island where they can begin their very own philanthropic journey through the Monkeez Makes a Difference program.
After choosing one of three nationally renowned charities to benefit from your Monkeez and Friends purchase, children can go on to trying their hand at online games and real-life Do Good Trading Card challenges. The Do Good Trading Cards extend the guerilla goodness to your child’s locality by creating simple tasks such as inviting an otherwise lonely student to join them at the lunch table. After completing these tasks and discussing it with parents, kids can redeem the cards online for more do-good incentives.
With prices ranging from $8 to $115, there is certainly something for everyone. We received Neville and Rufus, both from the medium sized category. As adorable and huggable as these Monkeez are, I love the fact that they are teaching toys. Our youngest is still a bit too small to fully grasp the idea of the Monkeez Makes a Difference program and simply loves his as a stuffed animal. Now our oldest, having a friend that has been burdened with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, understands what it means to help others. He was enthralled by the fact that our Monkeez, after choosing for our 10% donation to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand, have the ability to help the doctors possibly find a cure for his sick friend. As for me, I am humbled by the Monkeez and Friends company. As a parent, it is often difficult to find products and toys that serve a purpose for more than, well, one day. Most toys seem to get played with for a day and then lost at the bottomless pit that is the toy box. It is even more difficult to come across toys that serve a purpose. Monkeez and Friends solves both of those issues by offering a cuddly toy that gives children the ability to do for others.
In today’s world, philanthropy is something that we need to put a greater focus on. The best way to teach this is to do it. Don’t tell the tale but, instead, be the example. Monkeez and Friends is here to help you along the way and gives each child a loveable little friend to take along for the ride. With the New Year on the horizon, I challenge you. Make it your mission to become a better person and invite your children along for the ride. Give yourself and your family a feasible resolution that can touch the lives of everyone around you. You would be surprised at how far even a simple smile can go, and that, that is exactly what this world needs – to smile. Be that kindness, that light, and help to make our world a better place for now and for our future. One smile, one step, one act of kindness at a time and with our Monkeez at our sides.
One lucky Eighty MPH Mom reader will have the chance to start their New Year off right by winning their choice of any small Monkeez and Friends character! As always, no worries if you’re down on your luck because you can keep tabs on them via Facebook and Twitter for more chances to win. Our friends over at Monkeez and Friends are also offering a generous discount for our Eighty MPH Mom readers! Just head on over to their site and use the coupon code “VALUES” to get 20% off your entire order valid on everything in the entire online store through December 31st!
THE GIVEAWAY is now closed.
One (1) winner received a small Monkeez and Friends Monkeez Makes a Difference plush in their choice of character.
Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. Ends 12/31/12. ARV of $20!
Congrats to Samantha M.!
*Randi received the above product(s), free of charge, to facilitate this review. All opinions are those of reviewer only.
Tara A.
I like the cows, but by far, my favorites are the hedgehogs. So cute!
adrienne warren
the hedgehog is too cute for words, and the pink plush monkey, yep have to have her at my tea party
Janet W.
I might choose “Jo Jo” Small Green Monkey .
Nancy
I like the tan monkey.
Aimee C.
All adorable and great concept! I like the giraffe, love them!
amy v
i like sonny the dog
annae07 at aol dot com
Fawn H
I like “Charlie” Medium Purple Polka-Dot Monkey
D SCHMIDT
I really like “Andrew” Medium Blue Monkey
Sylvia White
I like “Rosie” Mini Pink Plush Monkey
Lindsey Pegram
I like “Kerby” Medium Koala.
jane
I LOVE the addison medium orange monkey, so cute.
tara b.
i like “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear
Angie baldridge
I like the Animated & Musical “Oliver” Octopus
Ryann
Love the elephants – too cute!!
Andrew Johnson
I like “Oscar” Mini Green Plush Alligator
sandra davis
i like Stella the elephant
Dana Rodriguez
All so cute!My favorites are Charlie and Kit
tina
I love them all but sonny the dog is my fav
latanya
sammy
Keli R
Oh my daughter would love one of these to replace her monkey the dog chewed up.
she still been in tears over the loss she loves these monkeys she dressed as one for her last ski race this past spring.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement
I want “Stella” Mini Pink Plush Elephant! 🙂
Thank you for this adorable giveaway!
Louis
I love “Hazel” Mini Blue Plush Cow
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
Andrea
I like the “Lottie” Medium Lavender Polka-Dot Monkey!
Lori Thomas
“Ozzie” Small Octopus is darling
Marj M.
I like the Purple Polka Dot Monkey the best.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
polly
i like harper
Brittany
“Stella” Mini Pink Plush Elephant
mrsshukra
Sonny the DOg is cute!
Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute
Gaby & Pogo are my favorites but then again I’m loving them all!
Thanks for another great giveaway Randi & Jennifer!!
OOO’s… Tracy@CottonPickinCute
Audra Weathers
I like the Rascal Small Raccoon!
Mayla M
My favorite is Lionel!
Jennifer T.
I like Lance the Lion.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
corrie
i really liked Emma” Mini Purple Plush Hippo
Michelle Frame
I love the “Rosie” monkey the best
Kristen
I like Stella the elephant.
Steve Stone
“Jo Jo” Small Green Monkey
Stephanie Larison
I love “Charlie” Medium Purple Polka-Dot Monkey
brandy
I like “Charlie” Medium Purple Polka-Dot Monkey
Sara Blose
I like andrew monkey
Selinda
I love the “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear !
Linda Kish
I like “Elmer” Large Elephant best.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Dawn K
I love the frog! What a cutie!
KATHY DALTON
i collect monkeys so i had to choose “Leroy” Mini Blue Plush Monkey
Debby
Andrew the Monkey!
Allison Downes
I love the “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Sherri B.
Love the “Emma” Mini Purple Plush Hippo !
Tamar
I like Leroy.
Megan Parsons
“Bailey” Medium Pink Striped Monkey
Kim Burnett
the tan monkey
Leah CB
I love “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog
Hoa Le
I like the Carlton Cow.
Carolyn N.
I like the “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear.
cjnedrow at gmail dot com
Charlene S
I like “Hazel” Mini Blue Plush Cow .
Kimberley Meier
I like the Animated & Musical “Oliver” Octopus!
Priscilla Benavides
I like “Rosie” Mini Pink Plush Monkey!
priscillavbenavides at yahoo dotcom
Erika P.
I like Harold the small hippo
Sheila Hickmon
I like “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog the most!
Miz Vickik
I like Cecil the Hedgehog!
Kari Flores
I like Freddy the medium frog.
jennifer bowen
i like them all but i go with nelson
Jodi Kershuk
Ollie the Octopus
Gennie Lancaster
Arthur Mini Aqua Plush Octopus.
Vikki Billings
I love “Fritz” Small Frog
Samii Meyer
I like “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog
debra s
jojo
Gayle
“Hobart” the Medium Green Zig-Zag Monkey is awfully cute.
brittney
the hedgehogs
edita
I like “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog
steve mccuan
i love
“Rosie” Mini Pink Plush Monkey
kathy pease
I like “Frankie” Mini Green Plush Frog
Michelle Tucker
I love the Animated & Musical “Pickles” Frog .
trudee carreiro
Tough choice my son love monkeys
Jaque Richards
I love the Bailey, Hailey, Karlee, Kooky Koala, Peter Panda…I like them all. 🙂 Thank you.
Lisa L
My fave is the “Kit” Medium Cat
Lisa_S
I like stella the pink elephant
Dean Swanson
I like Andrew
Kelly Britton
“Oscar” Mini Green Plush Alligator
Nicole C.
Khloe
sheryl cullum
I love sonny the dog
Vanessa
Rufus is adorable!
Danielle Wood
Definitely the hedgehog, so cute
Breanne
I like Gerrard the Giraffe
trixx
I like the “Kit” Medium cat