Friends of Youth has formed a month-long partnership with Material Good, the Seattle-based maker of Little Shirley vases that benefit charitable causes. During the month of September, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Marigold Little Shirleys, orange ceramic vases, will be devoted to Friends of Youth’s Capital Campaign.
“I started Material Good as a way to honor my grandmother, Shirley, who died of cancer, and this partnership with Friends of Youth is a wonderful way to recognize the needs of the next generation,” said Material Good Founder Lauren Burman. “We look forward to helping Friends of Youth raise money for new homes for homeless youth through the sales of the Marigold Little Shirley.”
The Material Good partnership kicks off as Friends of Youth’s Capital Campaign reaches the 60-percent mark toward a $7.5 million goal. As part of the partnership program, each month Material Good supports a different health or arts-related cause. Ten percent of the proceeds from all sales of the specific colored vase during the designated month will be donated to that charitable organization. Product tags for that organization reflect the partnership, as well as signage at retail locations and a social media campaign.
“We are honored to be chosen as a beneficiary of the Little Shirley campaign,” said Friends of Youth CEO Terry Pottmeyer. “I had the honor of meeting Shirley, and have watched Lauren’s vision grow, not only to honor her Grandma Shirley, but also to support so many other causes. The colorful vases make wonderful gifts while they also serve as reminders about the needs of youth in our community.”
Each Little Shirley vase starts out as liquid clay, individually slip-casted and hand-finished on a wheel. The vases are hand-glazed, sanded and stamped with the authentic Material Good logo and founder Lauren Burman’s initials. Each Little Shirley vase is hand-crafted by Seattle ceramic artists at the Material Good studio in SODO. The vases are 4 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide and come in 36 colors, ranging from glossy to matte finish. Vases cost $20.
Little Shirleys are available at more than 100 locations across the country, including locally at Nordstrom, Seattle Art Museum, Ravenna Gardens and The Space Needle. Order online at nordstrom.com. A complete list of locations is available at http://www.material-good.com/stores.
Friends of Youth provides a range of therapeutic services for youth, young adults and families on the road to self-sufficiency.More information is available at friendsofyouth.org.
