Texas A&M – Hoots of a Night Al

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” -Albert Schweitzer

This Schweitzer quote personifies the mission behind Purpose Box. Creator Jolie Gray, acted on her own desire to “do something,” and this amazing initiative is the result. Purpose Box is a bi-monthly mail subscription box filled with purchase with purpose items.

Each item is hand-selected with the constant mindset of helping others. Every product in the box has been extensively researched and has its own mission to help others in need. Also, each Purpose Box, has its own purpose. Shocking, right? 😉 Each individual box supports a different cause. So far they have supported adoptions, birth mother retreats, and NICU nesting suites, among others.

Recently, I attended a wonderful event to celebrate Purpose Box’s 2nd Anniversary, and I got to see some of the amazing items they distribute firsthand. The items pictured above are what we all received in our swag boxes, and let me say, they were such a treat!

The items ranged from beautiful stationary to adorable accessories to tasty treats and more! I couldn’t believe the wide array of products available that support so many different causes. It made me realize how easy it can be to shop with purpose every day.

Being the lucky duck that I am, I also won a previous Purpose Box shipment! I was so delighted, because it was filled with even more amazing things! The items pictured below were received by purchasers of the most recent Purpose Box. Each Purpose Box is $40, and from my calculations, the value of what you receive is well above $40.

The selected pieces are diverse, well-made, and actually useful items. Plus, I love that it has things like this Project 7 Rainbow Ice gum, which I can buy at my local HEB. Without Purpose Box, I never would have thought to pick it up because I didn’t realize it sponsors Anti-bullying Programs for kids (plus it tastes delicious!). Part of the idea behind Purpose Box is to encourage people to shop more mindfully and purchase for-purpose items whenever they can.

Possibly the most important part of each Purpose Box is a card letting the buyer know what cause is being supported that month, as well as what each item supports. This particular box said it “helped provide sustainable employment and quality of life for those in developing countries, give back to seven areas of need both in the US and abroad, fight ovarian cancer, provide business education for women, and provide gifts of gratitude for those enduring medical treatments, returning vets, and/or teachers.” Whew! Yes! ALL of that is being supported with just ONE box! Pretty amazing, right?

Also, ALL of the proceeds from that month’s Purpose Box went to OneHope27, which helps aid in the Foster care crisis. Yes, ALL of the proceeds.

It could not be more clear to me that Jolie’s mission with Purpose Box is so pure. Her idea has already supported so many remarkable organizations, and I can’t wait to see what inspiring groups she will partner with in the future. Plus, if the prospect of helping that many people doesn’t get you excited (are you crazy??), she’s a fellow Aggie, so that should be reason enough. 😉

Thank you Jolie, for starting such a remarkable business and sharing your passion with everyone! If any of my readers are interested in purchasing their own Purpose Box or any of the items I pictured above, I will include all of the links below! Purpose Box is bi-monthly, and they sell out very quickly, so make sure to sign up to find out when the next shipment is ready for purchase! Besides, what could be better than receiving a box of things you’ll love in the mail?? Oh wait, I know. Knowing that each and every item included helped someone in need. So amazing.

Purpose Box: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Hands Producing Hope: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Tribute: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Buy the Change: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Banded: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Writefully His: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Kurandza: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Auggie Apparel: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Two Sparrows Roasting Co: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Marie Mae: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

107 Market Street: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Project 7: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Rough, Tough, Real Stuff, Texas A&M

February 21, 2013 3 Comments

DISCLAIMER: If you aren’t an Aggie or Aggie Fan, this post probably won’t interest you. However, if you are, enjoy.

My handsome hubbs planned some last minute business meetings in College Station last Saturday, so we made a spontaneous day trip there. While he was off being all official, I drove to campus to admire the newly remodeled MSC. It was Aggieland Saturday, so I joined the throngs of anxious parents and high schoolers trying to pretend they were already in college and explored my beloved university and what had changed since I left.

The outside views of the new MSC are just as beautiful as the inside.

The MSC basement now boasts: A Mac store, air hockey, foosball tables, ping pong tables, a Panda Express, a FROYO station, and more! When I was there, we had a ghetto bowling alley, DDR, and a Chicfila. Times have changed. — The MSC basement now boasts: A Mac store, air hockey, foosball tables, pool tables, a Panda Express, a FROYO station, and more! When I was there, we had a ghetto bowling alley, DDR, and a greasy Chicfila. Times have changed. The top right picture shows a few of several TV stations. The clear fixture above each couch is what projects the sound from the TV, so it can only be heard by those beneath it. That way it doesn’t disturb others who are studying or passing by. Ridiculous!

I explored the bookstore, which is now TWO stories!?! It had the cutest baby gear that I totally wanted to buy for Henry, but his parents are Cougars...don't want to pressure him too early! — I explored the bookstore, which is now TWO stories!?! It had the cutest baby gear that I totally wanted to buy for Henry, but his parents are Cougars…don’t want to pressure him too early!

That painting on the left hung in a hall I always walked through as a freshman. It was refreshing to see it still hanging as I wandered around. The middle shot was taken from the bridge between the MSC and Rudder Tower. That bridge is where I went to open every acceptance letter from organizations I applied for. I had many heart-racing moments in that hall, tearing open envelopes that held my plans for the next year. That final shot is pretty self explanatory.

Kyle Field & Rudder Tower haven't changed at all, but I still loved seeing them. I made some of my best memories at organization meetings for MSC FISH and Abbott in Rudder Tower. Kyle Field, I actually don't have many fond memories in. Funny memories there include when Louis got thrown up on before we left early (2%ers) and a bird pooped on him. — Kyle Field & Rudder Tower haven’t changed at all, but I still loved seeing them. I made some of my best memories at organization meetings for MSC FISH and Abbott in Rudder Tower. Kyle Field, I actually don’t have many fond memories in. Funny memories there include when Louis got thrown up on before we left early (2%ers) and a bird pooped on him.

The amazing new sculptures were beautiful, but it was great to see the Flag Room was exactly the same. It was the only thing that kept me from getting lost!...Ok, that's a lie. I got lost twice. — The amazing new sculptures were beautiful, but it was great to see the Flag Room was exactly the same. It was the only thing that kept me from getting lost!…Ok, that’s a lie. I got lost twice.

Here's a quick apology to any of my instagram followers. I got pretty nostalgic and had an Aggie overload of pictures that day. — Here’s a quick apology to any of my instagram followers. I got pretty nostalgic and had an Aggie overload of pictures that day. Seriously though, how could I not instagram a reference to my fave movie that is now immortalized at my fave school?

I was psyched to visit the Puppy Store at Post Oak Mall (which also had a semi-facelift), but I was CRUSHED to see it had closed! I spent countless hours there bonding with puppies I knew I wouldn't buy. — I was psyched to visit the Puppy Store at Post Oak Mall (which also had a semi-facelift), but I was CRUSHED to see it had closed! I spent countless hours there bonding with puppies I knew I wouldn’t buy.

I did have fun exploring the quirky stores only found in small town malls and gawking at the merchandise only they can offer.

When Louis was finally done being a stud, I picked him up and we lunched at the new Lupe Tortilla on Texas Avenue.

It is SUCH a blessing that this Lupe wasn't there when we were in school. It was literally 2 minutes from my house, and we definitely would have feasted there every day. BEST QUESO EVER. — It is SUCH a blessing that this Lupe wasn’t there when we were in school. It was literally 2 minutes from my house, and we definitely would have feasted there every day. BEST QUESO EVER.

It was so good to visit campus. It has changed SO much just since I graduated, and that was only 2 years ago! I met some current MSC FISH members, and they are the Class of 2016. Wow. That made me feel OLD. I can’t lie, I totally teared up walking through the MSC. Yes, as if I wasn’t awkward enough walking around campus alone, I was crying too. It just meant so much to be to be back on campus where I made so many amazing memories. It made me miss the days where I could see 20 familiar faces just walking between classes. Or randomly walking across the street to hang out and watch Gossip Girl with my friends. My time at A&M flew by, and returning to campus made me realize how much I valued every moment I spent there. I am so proud to be an Aggie.