Published: May 14, 2008 12:10 pm            

Soft blankets; imported Americana; wise ways to spend ‘found’ $$

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — I don’t know about you, but it feels like our primary election was six months ago instead of last week. What a difference it makes when the circus moves to another town. For example, I notice that a million other things are happening that have zero to do with politics. So, let us tend to some unfinished business, OK?



First up, blankets — really over-sized throws — are for sale by Families By Choice as a fundraiser for the small-but-mighty Terre Haute organization’s programs for the homeless.



Deborah’s House, a transitional home for single moms and their children, is now in its second year of operation. Timothy’s House is coming next (none too soon) to help young men, 18 to 22, who have just exited foster care and have no place to call home.



The throws are 60-by-70 inches and made of Berkshire Serasoft, which feels silky-warm to snuggle up in. They come in navy blue, pastel blue, forest green and wheat beige with the Families By Choice logo embroidered on a corner. The logo is a kid’s drawing of a little house with the sun inside beaming out.



Beading Paradise, at 125-B S. Seventh St., has the throws for sale for $35. A portion of that is tax deductible. A few full-size/queen throws are available for $100. An order form for either size also can be requested by e-mail at familiesbychoice@hotmail.com.



If I had gotten my act together sooner, these sweet blankets would have made great Mother’s Day gifts. But dads need cover now and then, so think, “June 15.” The throws also can be kept in a bag and saved until Christmas, which will be upon us about 10 days after the Fourth of July.



Families By Choice was founded by Drs. Muriel Drake Ryan and Bernard Ryan. They are always in the market for new or gently used household goods, services needed by families starting over and tax-deductible cash donations. For information, check the above e-mail or call (812) 917-5326.



Item No. 2 concerns an irony you might think about the next time you’re blaming a politician, chain discounter or even Wall Street for all the U.S. jobs lost to off-shore manufacturers. Remember, it takes an entire nation, especially consumers, to make “Made In China” the unofficial slogan of American shopping.



A Terre Haute woman recently shared some e-mail communication she had with a corporate customer relations representative for J.C. Penney. The woman had messaged Penney’s when she discovered that its “American Living” products line is made in countries such as Vietnam and China.



“As a consumer, I desperately want to buy American-made products. I was hoping J.C. Penney was taking the lead,” the woman wrote.



The Penney’s rep, who did not identify himself or herself, replied: “The name of the brand is intended to evoke the feeling of the classic American lifestyle. American Living is designed, marketed and sold in America by Americans, capturing the spirit of American aspiration, diversity, celebration and iconic style.”



The rep went on to say Penney’s has suppliers in more than 100 countries, including the United States, who are “subject to demanding requirements for legal compliance and ethical business practices.”



In case we doubt the company’s patriotism, the e-mail declared, “We feel we would contribute more to our nation’s cause by continuing to do business with reputable suppliers in these countries than by discontinuing all sourcing from them. If, however, our government were to determine that trade with any of them should be discontinued, we would stop such sourcing immediately.”



Not for a second do I think J.C. Penney is alone in its approach to global business or in the effort to “evoke the feeling of the classic American lifestyle” through the labor of southeast Asians whose daily pay might buy a specialty drink at Starbucks.



Look at the label on the next little American flag you buy in a drugstore. No matter the product, the spirit of American aspiration, diversity, celebration and iconic style nearly always is conveyed by people who have never even been here.



Item 3 comes from author and consultant John Baker, who specializes in helping people navigate “times of change and opportunity.” Via an Internet public relations release, he offers Americans four alternatives to blowing their federal tax rebates on more instant-gratification stuff (that’s probably made in China).



Baker suggests you use your rebate to:



n Get out of debt or at least to “generate a risk-free 15 to 20 percent return on your money by paying down your most expensive credit card and then cutting the card in two.”



n Buy shares of a well-managed bond fund “and watch your account grow as other people impulsively spend their windfall.”



n Help a grandkid with a college education. At an 8.5 percent return, a couple’s $1,200 rebate, combined with a $300 child credit, can grow over 20 years to more than $7,500. Invested for your young children’s children over 30 years, “Your tax rebate generates over $17K!”



n Put the money away for the rest of your life (55 years), again, in a safe fund that returns 8.5 percent, and you can leave your heirs $100,000. “That’s a long time,” Baker admits, “but remember you’re investing ‘found’ money. Let it do the hard work and sit back satisfied that your decision will do good long after you’re gone.”



To Baker’s suggestions, I add one more: If you must spend your “stimulus” rebate, donate part of it to charity — or at least buy something like a nice, soft Families By Choice blankie to comfort you later on, when the money’s all gone.



Stephanie Salter writes for The Tribune Star in terre Haute, Ind. She can be reached at stephanie.salter@tribstar.com.

        

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