Holidays in San Francisco are always festive. Sparkly spiders dangle from cotton cobwebs wrapped in the city’s wrought iron gates at Halloween, only to be replaced by turkeys, pilgrims, and the smell of stuffing and pumpkin pie in November. Soon evergreen wreaths adorn doors, menorahs and multi-colored lights shimmer in the windows of Victorians and urban homes, while fireplaces crackle and smoke fills the chilly December air. But as flushed shoppers window browse in Union Square and seek out thoughtful treasures on Sacramento, Fillmore and Union streets, a memorable place for me is the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center on Waller in the Haight.
Here, too, women fill bags with gifts, but the bags are large green Hefty bags, and the gifts don’t come with a price tag. We meet with the families and help them shop—rows and rows of brand new donated toys, books, games and clothes, selected with care to be placed under chimneys and trees and opened by wide-eyed children on Christmas morning. This is a scene that brings joy to my heart, and it is the efforts of charities like SFCAPC that inspire me to pursue my life’s purpose.
I have been blessed to see my business flourish, to have worked hard and watched Alana Leigh grow from a small local atelier to one with clients worldwide. I have always created my jewels with the intention of empowering women and in the past I have sold my art to benefit charities such as San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center, Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s film Miss Representation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Raphael House in San Francisco, just to name a few. In this next phase of my career I want to make charitable giving the sole focus of my work.
Going forward my website will be focused on benefiting non-profit organizations that I believe in. Charities will be featured on my site for a select amount of time or indefinitely, and during that period at least 20% of the proceeds from the sale of selected jewels and treasures will benefit one of those foundations. You will be given a drop down menu at checkout to select the charity to which you would like Alana Leigh to donate. You will receive a verified certificate reflecting the amount of money that went to the charity you've chosen, in your name, from the purchase that you have made on my website. The featured charities I've carefully highlighted will be profiled here on my Inspiration page so that you can read their stories and learn about their cause.
When I think of this new purpose, I am moved by an energy that compels me forward. I know that giving back is my life’s journey, and I look forward to embarking on it with you! If there is a charity that moves or inspires you, send me an email at customercare@alanaleigh.com . Let’s experience the extraordinary empowerment and heartfelt experience of giving back together.
Thank you for your part in this exciting opportunity to help others and contribute to the world in a meaningful way!
With Love and Gratitude,
Alana
Images from left to right: Alana in gratitude: Alana with her team of soul sisters: from left: Brooke Sevenau, Alana, Judy Domenici, Alicia Hvistendahl, Alana's mom Jo Howard, Jennifer Siebel Newsom: Alana and Jennifer Siebel Newsom: Alana's jewelry show for Miss Representation: Alana in a small village in Thailand with the local children.