Thursday is Earth Day. Now, around here we try our best to make environmentally conscious decisions every day, but there is something to be said for observing our yearly reminder to step it up a notch. This week I'll be sharing tips, crafts and ideas inspired by my own thoughts about what it means to live green. I'm also excited to use this opportunity to host an amazing give away sponsored by the very local, Aurora Shoe Company.
Aurora Shoes are an excellent model for environmentally responsible consumerism. Aurora Shoes are made with pride in Upstate New York using only American sourced materials. This means a lot in an age where most products are assembled under sub-standard or unregulated working conditions using materials that are often produced in even less desirable conditions. All of these materials and products travel great distances to finally make it onto the shelves of American shops where the shipping, import taxes and marketing costs result in products whose pricing does not reflect their quality.
At Aurora Shoe you pay for what you get: high quality materials, superior craftsmanship, serious comfort and a solid guarantee. You can see the Aurora Shoe production process for yourself by watching this video, filmed by a local newspaper about a year ago.
Not only are Aurora Shoes an ethical purchase, they're also a renewable one. Many of us walk in a way that causes the soles of our shoes to wear unevenly. Aurora Shoe is one of the only companies I know that encourages customers to not buy new, but to re-sole instead. This simple act gives new life to each well loved pair and saves materials, energy and a trip to the landfill.
In honor of Earth Day, the Aurora Shoe Company has generously donated one pair of shoes (any color, any style) for the very first Keep it Real give away. To enter, leave a comment on this blog between now and 6pm on Thursday, April 22nd. Comments should answer the following question:
What is one long-term change you can make today to contribute to a healthier planet?
The emphasis is on making a change today that you'll carry into the future. I'll give you one entry per commitment to change and certainly encourage you to come up with several. Bonus points and one additional entry per person if you share a website, blog or article that offers eco-friendly inspiration. On Thursday I'll collect all comments and will randomly select one winner to post on Friday.
If you read this blog or know me personally, then you already know that I have a family connection with the Aurora Shoe Company and that I write for their company blog. This does nothing to change the fact that I have owned and loved these great shoes for more than a decade before my family had anything to do with them!
This give away is now closed, but we welcome you to keep up with the Aurora Shoe Company by visiting their website and blog.
