We try our best to leave the world a better place. Giving back isn’t something that we do to gain attention/press and it isn’t something we do in times of crisis only. It is literally part of the brand philosophy to support and protect the planet and other beings we share it with. Does it bother Kimberly that she gets called an activist or that people say sometime maybe she shouldn’t focus so much on pointing out what’s wrong? No. "It bothers me that anyone would be able to stick their head in the sand given the overwhelming access to facts in this day and age."
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
This isn’t cocktail talk at KMD this is reality. For this and many other reasons, we support a number of causes and organizations that are close to our hearts. Take a moment to explore some which may resonate with you.
ADOPT, DON'T SHOP!
PAWS (PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY)
Since 1984, The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue and provide appropriate, humane sanctuary for animals who have been the victims of the exotic and performing animal trades.
KMD has been affiliated with PAWS since 2012. In 2014 Kimberly was invited to visit the private sanctuary and meet the beautiful animals in their care, “Nothing can give these beautiful sentient beings back the life that was stolen from them by humans who sought not only to own them but to enslave them for their own entertainment and profit…but Ed and everyone at PAWS is committed to giving them the next best thing which is a life of relative freedom and exemplary care. I am so thankful that I crossed paths with this sanctuary and we will always support them to the best of our ability.”
CHILDREN OF CONSERVATION
Children of Conservation takes a global approach to improving the survival rate of endangered species and provides assistance to the children of the caregivers and local people whose assistance and cooperation is key to these efforts. By focusing on the education of the people who are local to each sanctuary COC strives to change the mindset in order to eliminate the problems. At sanctuaries throughout Africa workers can now be guaranteed an education for their children all the way through graduation and in some cases financial assistance through university as well.
“I love the thought that by caring for these animals who have been victims and many times orphans of poaching and the bush meat trade local residents are now able not only to help these animals but to help themselves and their families. I believe the more education and more alternatives they are presented with when it comes to providing for their families the better future it will create for not only themselves but for the animals they share their land with. I can’t think of a better win-win solution.”
Kimberly McDonald sits on the board at Children of Conservation.
THE RHINO ORPHANAGE
The rhino orphanage is the world’s first facility for baby rhinos. They create an environment where traumatized young rhinos are saved from poachers. They receive proper care treatment and love. They operate with the mission of releasing these amazing creatures back into the wild.
“Rhinos are one of my favorite animals. Especially the babies…so there was no way that we weren’t going to support this organization once we really learned about their operation and what great care they give these babies who are more often than not the victims of poaching. Nothing can take away the horrible things that they have seen and experienced at the hands of men but at The Rhino Orphanage we do feel they are showered with love in an effort to not only heal their physical but also their emotional wounds. A lot of people don’t understand that animals are deeply emotional creatures. They have family units and they have strong bonds; these are not qualities limited to human beings. We gladly support The Rhino Orphanage.”
CARE FOR WILD
Rescue, rehabilitate, and re-release are the cornerstones at Care For Wild. With their expert team they have performed some truly remarkable rescues. “The moment I found @CareForWild on Instagram I was hooked. The attention and care that is paid to these animals that have been traumatized past what any of us could ever conceive comes through in every photograph and video. The doctors and carers give 110% of themselves to these animals and we are happy to be able to support them monthly so that they can focus on saving animals almost all of which are victims of human wildlife conflict or poaching.”
ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
As part of our commitment to supporting children in need we contribute monthly to St. Jude. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. -St. Jude Mission Statement
“I can’t imagine what it must feel like to have a child with a life-threatening illness, but I can imagine that the stress of worrying about the financial burden would push anyone to their breaking point. For this reason, it is our pleasure to donate monthly to one of my favorite charities ever, St. Jude."
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” - Martin Luther King Jr.