blissful broccoli fan

Once again, everyone’s favorite umlaut-friendly Swedish retailer has launched The IKEA Soft Toys for Education Campaign. Through December 24th, one euro from every soft toy purchased goes to UNICEF and Save the Children’s educational campaigns in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. There’s a clickable map on the IKEA USA site so you can see exactly which projects your purchase supports, and you can get still more info on the IKEA Foundation’s web site. (The upshot: I’m reasonably sure this isn’t some bullshit pink-ribbon yogurt lid folderol.) Since 2003, the program has raised over 35.2 million euros (47.4 million dollars in real money) for third-world education efforts conducted by on-the-ground organizations that know what they’re doing.

My favorite soft toys in the current lineup are the carrot and the broccoli, because I support plush nutrition. (Full disclosure: IKEA’s PR peeps kindly sent me a broccoli spear.) We purchased two rats (GOSIG RÃ…TTA in the house!), because we are New Yorkers and that’s how we roll. And because maybe they know this guy from Tompkins Square Park.

Please also see the Ikea Name Generator.

Sincerely, MÃ…RJORY.