From the category archives:

kids give back

Inlu This! Burton Chopper Star Wars™ Board

by inlu blog patrol on November 3, 2011


Welcome to the AWESOME side. Your kiddo’s got plenty of plastic toys. He’s got enough “stuff” to fill up a walk-in closet. This year, use the FORCE of Inlu to coordinate contributions to cover the cost of the most badass, radical, excellent group gift, like, EVER.

This $189 ride-on galaxy blaster will take you from the living room to the white fields of that planet with the hairy white creature that captures what’s-his-face in that cave…nevermind.

This is a perfect group gift for the Holiday season. Your kid will LOVE it, the grandparents will be happy to pitch-in and the favorite aunt in Oregon is pumped to put some $ in the pool, leave a note and know there’s not going to be an 11th hour mad dash. You’ll be PSYCHED because you know that, AFTER the new year, when the snow starts to pile, this gift will be  put to good use!

Here’s how you’d use Inlu to make this Chopper happen (see SAMPLE):

1. You login (free account!) and create an Inlu announcement

2. Write some details about the gift your kiddo really wants

3. Opt to set a collection cap, have excess funds go toward a charity (I set this one at $189- again, optional)

4. Send to friends and family members you know would like to pitch in for this super gift

5 . You track and view contributions and notes from your dashboard, where you can easily send a thank you when the collection closes.

6. Then you get the $ in one check to go and buy the gift. Easy, that was, hmmn? (say in cute Yoda voice).

Sound good? Get started now, send it to yourself. Add recipients when you’re ready. Go easy on everyone, easier on the planet (less wrapping, shipping and “stuff” when you group gift).

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Watch This Wednesday! ($1 Will Go To The Athlete Recovery Fund)

by inlu blog patrol on November 2, 2011

Inlu.com users have supported a variety of causes over the past two years. Today, I’d like to simply share a way you can support an industry and passion that is near and dear to many of our users: action sports. By simply watching this video, $1 (up to $100k) will be donated by Ballpark Franks to support the Athlete Recovery Fund, which provides insurance and healthcare to some of our most admirable, “uninsurable” daredevil heroes. That’s it. All you do is watch. Thanks! (Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/1-rrKZZTV_A)

PS Idea Alert: The Athlete Recovery Fund would make an awesome Inlu cause this holiday season! (Note: we are not associated with any charities, this just seems like a great cause that makes a real difference:).

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25 Charities, Causes and Nonprofits REAL Inlu Users Have Supported (BTW, Inlu Users Rock)

by inlu blog patrol on October 20, 2011

Our users have supported MANY charities in several IN LIEU OF contexts, like:

In lieu of gifts, send gift monies (in one sum!) to help a cause.
In lieu of collecting many small checks, pool contributions together for one  easy fundraiser!
In lieu of wasting $ on wrapping paper, they’ve pitched in smaller amounts as a group to give back to the planet.
In lieu of bake sales,  users have simply created an Inlu to support schools, nonprofits and more.

Here’s a list of 25 randomly selected charities, causes and planet-happy ways our users have given back to help others:

  1. Best Friends Animal Society, Utah
  2. Cheetah Conservation Fund
  3. Burlington City Arts
  4. NOFA Farmer Emergency Fund
  5. Donation to the “Church they were married in…” St. Patick’s Cathedral
  6. Autism Speaks
  7. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
  8. U.S. Luge Association/ I Slide 4 Nodar
  9. Visiting Nurses of Vermont
  10. Dayton Children’s Hospital, OH
  11. Kennedy’s Cord Foundation, KY
  12. Alzheimer’s Association
  13. New England Center For Homeless Veterans
  14. Sutter Aubrurn VNA Hospice
  15. Life Rolls On
  16. Homocide Survivors Fund, AZ
  17. Camp Dudley William J. Schmidt Scholarship Fund
  18. Champion Against Bullying
  19. Children’s Hunger Fund
  20. Teaching Tolerance, AL
  21. Intertribal Friendship House
  22. Pennies For Peace
  23. Ashlee’s Charity for Junior National Young Leaders
  24. Discovery Charter School
  25. Southeast Valley Youth Football, AZ

Want to create an IN LIEU OF charity collection? Visit inlu.com and

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Saddle Up and See Cowboys and Aliens (While Helping a Cause!)

by inlu blog patrol on July 13, 2011

Why not head over to your local theater to celebrate an upcoming birthday, or event….or perhaps just for a good time? Simply create an Inlu Invitation, describe WHEN and WHERE as well as ADD Collection details (see sample for Kevin’s 13th Birthday!).

SOUND AWESOME? DO IT.

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Kids + Parents + Inlu: Here’s the Scoop!

by inlu blog patrol on July 7, 2011

Pssst…Parents, Inlu is a great way for your child to get what he or she wants AND give the planet a break at the same time! That’s an awesome feeling even the little ones can appreciate!

And yes, some parents wonder “Is it ok to tell my friends what my kid wants for his/her birthday?”

The answer is obviously YES! when you stop to look at the bigger picture. Why?

Well, for one, Inlu is totally etiquette appropriate because the giving is always optional. Plus, it’s a huge relief for guests because they don’t have to spend time, money, and/or energy searching for that last minute guess on “what your child wants.”

But more importantly, they get to see their children feel the empowerment of making a difference.  Rather than letting words from this grown up explain, listen to the kids:

Sound like a good idea? GET STARTED on YOUR CHILD’s INLU HERE!

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10 Great Group Gift Ideas 4 Kids

by inlu blog patrol on February 26, 2011

THIS IS A GUEST BLOG POST WRITTEN BY INLU, FEATURED ON:

Got a kid’s birthday party to plan? Why not collect for a group gift and give back to a cause at the same time! With inlu.com, you can collect enough money to cover a special gift from friends and family and anything above and beyond can be pooled and sent automatically to any cause. This makes everyone happy! Your child gets what he or she wants, guest don’t have to pitstop on the way to the party to grab a gift (we’ve all been there), and you can feel good about going easy on “stuff” that will likely end up in the landfill. Plus, you’ll be supporting a cause “in lieu of all the wrapping paper and cards” your guest would’ve purchased. Sweet, right?

Here are 10 popular gifts that make excellent group gifts (most have been actual Inlu group gifts by our users):

10. Bike- Aaaah, the bike. What better childhood gift than a shiny new bike? When it comes from all your friends and family, it’s even better! One Inlu user got a bike and gave back to Make a Wish Vermont.

9. Ice Skates - These are a classic gift that every child can enjoy. They make an excellent group gift. Why not give back to polar bears for a chilly themed charity? It’s up to you and your little skater.

8. Playmobil Pirate Ship – Ahoy Matey! Get a pirate ship, give back to save the seas. That’s a great combo, me thinks. ;)

7. Plan City Toys – The Plan City Wooden Toys are awesome! From the Plan website: “PlanToys® practices the “FOUR R’s” of green living: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Our manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste and save energy. We reuse materials, and have introduced innovative methods to recycle paper and other products. We are always looking for new ways to improve and preserve our environment.” These make a great group gift for many reasons. See how one little Inlu gift honoree got something sweet while giving back:

6. LEGOs – Unlike most gifts, you can NEVER have too many LEGOs! That’s why these make a timeless group gift option.

Image from lego.com

5. Plan Toy Dollhouse - Another Plan Toy, this group gift is great! We’ve seen a happy little Inlu user furnish her Plan Dollhouse with some sweet new furniture.

4. Nerf Guns- Are a favorite for boys in that “hard to figure out what they want” stage. We’ve seen it-whether it’s one gun or a small fleet, Nerf™ is a just-right choice for boys around ages 8-12.

3. iPod Touch- With tweens especially, the gifts are gettin’ pricey! This is a high end gift that will get plenty of use. They can take pics, play games, listen to music,watch video- and more. As a parent, you can trust this hours of entertainment (perfect for long car rides!).

2. NEW Skateboard- Ask the friends and family to pitch in for a new deck, wheels, bearings, helmet and you’ll have a happy little ripper.

Image courtesy Talent Skateshop in BTV

1. Kid’s Kitchen- This big ticket item is one of childhood’s most magical memory-makers. It was a classic when we were little and it’s still on the wishlist for little people everywhere. Inlu idea: you could collect for the kitchen and give back to feed kids in poverty. Skip the runaround and all that gift wrap. Win-win-win!

For more info or to create an Inlu, visit inlu.com!

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Sweet Birthday Party Idea for Kids! Group Gift. Give Back. Chill Out.

February 14, 2011

Kids + in lieu of gifts in lieu of TOO MANY gifts = AWESOME Times are a changing. In an era when TV shows are showcasing over the top parties, there’s another trend happening more quietly:  lieu of gifts…for kids. We’ve seen bring-a-book parties, no gift parties, bring a canned item parties, in lieu of [...]

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Featured Inlu: BTV Skate Park- Buy a Brick!

December 15, 2010

Hey friends! Guess what cool Inlu collection is going on right now? The “Buy a Brick and Support the Skate Park” campaign just launched as part of the Burlington Skate Park Redevelopment Project. This much anticipated, NEW concrete park will attract skaters from all around the region. Anyone is welcome to contribute and no amount [...]

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Birthday Idea: Harry Potter Theme Party for a Cause

November 16, 2010

….This is a big week for Harry Potter fans! To celebrate, we have a do-good birthday party idea. For the party, let friends know it’s a Harry Potter theme and you’ll be going to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! If you’re up for the full theme experience, there are lots of simple or [...]

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Thanksgiving: Do Good in Your ‘Hood!

November 2, 2010

It’s  already November! Thanksgiving is well on its way. This year, Inlu would like to suggest inviting local kids to collect food from neighbors. We’ve outlined an easy, fun way to rally support for your local food shelf in three easy steps: Step 1: Create an Inlu. Call it something like “Our Neighborhood Food Drive” [...]

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