Up from the Dust Supports Local and Global Communities

Jan. 15, 2009 - PRLog -- International importer and women microenterprise supporter, Up from the Dust donated almost $1,000 to foundations, schools and churches in the United States that hosted Up from the Dust sales during the holiday season in December 2008.

“It is a great way to help the local communities while we are assisting the global community, as well,” said Mary Schnack, Founder, Up from the Dust. “It is a perfect match for fund-raising and helping others.”

Importing beautiful handmade products made by women in developing countries to the U.S. marketplace, Up from the Dust helps support and economically empower the women’s businesses and communities.

The company’s sales in 2008 were up from 2007. "Despite the struggling economy, our sales figures increased in 2008," said Schnack. "I could tell in 2007 that the economy was going downhill. But I think our sales went up last year because people are cognizant of how they spend every dollar. They like getting a unique item from another country and most importantly, that their dollar makes a direct impact in others’ lives.”

Up from the Dust donated funds to Sedona Red Rock High School’s business club, Church of the Red Rock’s Women’s Fellowship’s mission projects, The Broadway Gymnastic Foundation in Los Angeles, CA, which raises money to offer opportunities in gymnastics for young people who are financially or developmentally disadvantaged, and The Weidemann Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA, which identifies and collaborates with organizations conducting exceptional and potentially self-sustaining projects in micro lending and community development.

On-going outreach is also being conducted by the Women’s Media Center, a non-partisan organization making women visible and powerful in the media, and The Maynard Institute, dedicated to training journalists of color and helping the news media reflect the nation's diversity in staffing, content and business operations. Donations from Up from the Dust will be made to these two organizations in the future after their outreach has been completed.

“Up from the Dust is a popular website throughout the year, not just at holiday time,” said Schnack. “We are also getting requests from women and charities throughout the country to host home parties.” For more information on Up from the Dust, hosting a home party or a virtual party, please go to www.UpFromTheDust.com or call Schnack at 800-529-7599.