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 someoneās 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.
āWe do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.ā
-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 ādo as I say, not as I doā stigma but in order to better our world we must, first, better ourselves. Teach your children by showing them. Get them involved.
Monkeez and FriendsĀ 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 IslandĀ where they can begin their very own philanthropic journey through the Monkeez Makes a DifferenceĀ 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 childās 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 Alexās 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 todayās world, philanthropy is something that we need to put a greater focus on. The best way to teach this is to do it. Donāt 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 ā 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.
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One lucky Eighty MPH Mom reader will have the chance to start their New Year off right by winning their choice of any smallĀ Monkeez and Friends character! As always, no worries if youāre down on your luck because you can keep tabs on them via FacebookĀ and TwitterĀ 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 smallĀ 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.
83 Responses
I like the cows, but by far, my favorites are the hedgehogs. So cute!
the hedgehog is too cute for words, and the pink plush monkey, yep have to have her at my tea party
I might choose “Jo Jo” Small Green Monkey .
I like the tan monkey.
All adorable and great concept! I like the giraffe, love them!
i like sonny the dog
annae07 at aol dot com
I like “Charlie” Medium Purple Polka-Dot Monkey
I really like “Andrew” Medium Blue Monkey
I like “Rosie” Mini Pink Plush Monkey
I like “Kerby” Medium Koala.
I LOVE the addison medium orange monkey, so cute.
i like “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear
I like the Animated & Musical “Oliver” Octopus
Love the elephants – too cute!!
I like “Oscar” Mini Green Plush Alligator
i like Stella the elephant
All so cute!My favorites are Charlie and Kit
I love them all but sonny the dog is my fav
sammy
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.
I want “Stella” Mini Pink Plush Elephant! š
Thank you for this adorable giveaway!
I love “Hazel” Mini Blue Plush Cow
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
I like the “Lottie” Medium Lavender Polka-Dot Monkey!
“Ozzie” Small Octopus is darling
I like the Purple Polka Dot Monkey the best.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
i like harper
“Stella” Mini Pink Plush Elephant
Sonny the DOg is 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
I like the Rascal Small Raccoon!
My favorite is Lionel!
I like Lance the Lion.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
i really liked Emma” Mini Purple Plush Hippo
I love the “Rosie” monkey the best
I like Stella the elephant.
āJo Joā Small Green Monkey
I love āCharlieā Medium Purple Polka-Dot Monkey
I like āCharlieā Medium Purple Polka-Dot Monkey
I like andrew monkey
I love the “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear !
I like “Elmer” Large Elephant best.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I love the frog! What a cutie!
i collect monkeys so i had to choose “Leroy” Mini Blue Plush Monkey
Andrew the Monkey!
I love the “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Love the “Emma” Mini Purple Plush Hippo !
I like Leroy.
“Bailey” Medium Pink Striped Monkey
the tan monkey
I love “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog
I like the Carlton Cow.
I like the “Khloe” Mini Teal Koala Bear.
cjnedrow at gmail dot com
I like “Hazel” Mini Blue Plush Cow .
I like the Animated & Musical “Oliver” Octopus!
I like “Rosie” Mini Pink Plush Monkey!
priscillavbenavides at yahoo dotcom
I like Harold the small hippo
I like “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog the most!
I like Cecil the Hedgehog!
I like Freddy the medium frog.
i like them all but i go with nelson
Ollie the Octopus
Arthur Mini Aqua Plush Octopus.
I love “Fritz” Small Frog
I like “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog
jojo
“Hobart” the Medium Green Zig-Zag Monkey is awfully cute.
the hedgehogs
I like “Cecil” Mini Green Plush Hedgehog
i love
“Rosie” Mini Pink Plush Monkey
I like “Frankie” Mini Green Plush Frog
I love the Animated & Musical “Pickles” Frog .
Tough choice my son love monkeys
I love the Bailey, Hailey, Karlee, Kooky Koala, Peter Panda…I like them all. š Thank you.
My fave is the “Kit” Medium Cat
I like stella the pink elephant
I like Andrew
“Oscar” Mini Green Plush Alligator
Khloe
I love sonny the dog
Rufus is adorable!
Definitely the hedgehog, so cute
I like Gerrard the Giraffe
I like the “Kit” Medium cat