The Clean and Green Club

If the consumer pressure directed to kids is an issue for you…if you’re disgusted by over-the-top parties for 6- or 10-year-olds that cost thousands of dollars…if you want to raise your children with an awareness of how they can make a difference in the wider world—here’s something I found remarkable and inspiring.

A mom-run Canadian company, EchoAge.com, has completely turned traditional birthday parties inside out. Instead of the usual model of everyone bringing a little present,the company collects money securely online, pays itself a 15 percent administrative fee, and divides the rest in two. One part goes to the parent, to use for one special present that would normally have been unaffordable—and the other part goes to one of a number of charities, selected by the child.

This is brilliant on many levels. In the company FAQ, EchoAge explains the environmental benefits:

Online invitations are used instead of paper ones, which saves trees.

Invitations are sent electronically, which reduces emissions associated with postal delivery.

Online payments instead of gifts eliminate the purchasing of gifts that are often packaged in or made of plastic.

Online payments save trees from becoming wrapping paper.

Online payments reduce car emissions by not having to drive to a store to buy a gift (and then to return unwanted gifts).

Online birthday cards save trees from becoming paper cards.

Online contributions instead of traditional gifts leads to less gifts purchased, manufactured and then tossed in landfills.

As far as the social awareness that’s created?

How do I follow up with this type of learning after my child’s ECHOage birthday party is over?

Once the birthday party ends, your child will have successfully done something significant to improve the planet and help others. Your child will have experienced the great feeling that comes from the act of giving. The best way to build on the experience and further empower your child is to look for everyday examples of people doing important community and environmental work as role models for your child. You can consult books, music or films that have content specific to child empowerment and activism. You can also ask your child to come up with creative ideas for how to help others and the environment throughout the year.

Benefits to parents include automatic tracking of RSVPs, food allergy issues, and other concerns, as well as a quick and easy interface.

Currently, the range of charities includes environmental groups, literacy organizations, a children’s arts group, charities dealing with a range of children’s health issues (including summer camps for kids with cancer), and one in the name of Nelson Mandela that works with children orphaned or otherwise impacted by apartheid. The charities appear carefully chosen to avoid alienating potential guest families that might not share your politics.

Founders Alison Smith and Debbie Zinman currently offer the program across Canada and the US. Plans are afoot to launch in other countries, too.

My thanks to Mitchell York and his entrepreneurship blog on about.com, for telling me about this exciting venture of doing well by doing good.