“”Be grateful you’re not in the forest in France
Where the average young person just hasn’t a chance
To escape from the perilous pants eating plants
But your pants are safe, you’re a fortunate guy
You ought to be shouting how lucky am I”

- Dr. Seuss, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

As much as we love creating superior products for you and your child, we also enjoy giving back to the community. For the second year in a row, Bumkins is proud to be participating in Goodwill of Central Arizona’s “2010 Evening of Goodwill: Denim and Diamonds.” We have donated a wonderfully whimsical Suessian basket, filled with enough Seuss gear to turn your child into a Who! You can bid on this basket and many other fantastical items during the silent auction, as well as meet over 350 local community leaders and supporters at this evening affair.

About the Evening of Goodwill – The 10th Annual Evening of Goodwill will be held Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Desert Foothills, 5-9 pm. Throughout the evening, there will be a silent auction, a hosted reception, a buffet-style dinner, western-inspired games, live entertainment and an award presentation honoring their clients, partners and community supporters. Tickets are open to the public and are $100. Proceeds go towards furthering the education of Goodwill clients, as well as local adults and youths.

About Goodwill of Central Arizona -”We Put People to Work.” Their motto rings true in everything they do, from recently opening a new store [Redesign by Goodwill] to creating a used auto lot! There mission is simple, “Through the work of Goodwill, all people will have the opportunity to learn, work and achieve their greatest potential.” By practicing this vision and following their values, Goodwill has received recognition and become a leader in the “Charities You Can Trust” list.

As most of you know, Bumkins prides itself in having safe products for both you and your child. We make sure that our products are lead safe, PVC, BPA, phthalate & vinyl free. The Center for Health, Environment & Justice, an advocate for “responsible corporate behavior” and the use of safer chemical alternatives, released a “Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies.” The Bumkins Art Smocks made the list!

Our art smocks come in multiple prints, ranging from our Bumkins original designs to our loveable Seuss and Haring patterns. Keep your child and their favorite clothes and accessories mess free…and the paint stains to a minimum!

Bumkins Lunch Boxes are also free from such harmful chemicals and are another fantastic back-to-school item. Be sure to check them out and keep your children’s lunches and snacks safe next school year, while also keeping them looking cool with the 8 different designs now available.

What is PVC? It is found in everything…from plastic and clothing to ceiling tiles and pipes! Known to its chemical buddies as polyvinyl chloride, this multifunctional plastic is harmful and detrimental to one’s health. Products with PVC and its additives [used to make it flexible] have been found to be releasing toxins into the air. Luckily, there has been an increase in awareness of its harmful effects and companies have been using a safer alternative for their items.

What is BPA? Known to its chemical friends as bisphenol A, this organic compound is also commonly used in plastic production. Most commonly used as the inside coating for most food and beverage cans, it is also found in everything from baby toys to medical and dental devices to electronics in the household. Its harmful effects include obesity, neurological issues, thyroid complications, cancer…the list goes on. However, there is hope! As you may have noticed, awareness of this horrendous compound’s effects has also increased and BPA-free products are becoming more readily available.

What are phthalates? Working with the above in health crime, phthalates are also used in plastics to make them more durable and increases their longevity of use. They are found in almost everything: as coating on your everyday pills and vitamins, makeup, toys, household items, packaging, detergents, perfumes, electronics…the list goes on! Like BPA, it also has a long list of harmful effects. Also like BPA and PVC, it is being phased out of production in many countries, including the United States.

Before purchasing back-to-school supplies for their children, parents can check the Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies on the The Center for Health, Environment and Justice website. The guide lists safer PVC-free school products such as backpacks, lunchboxes, and binders. Our Bumkins waterproof art smock is listed on page 7. All our Bumkins waterproof products are PVC, phthalate, and BPA free.

In an article titled, “Companies feel strain of complying with safety law“, Bumkins Finer Baby Products shares their thoughts on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act!

Bumkins new Chunky Monkey waterproof print was spotlighted in the latest issue of Pregnancy and Newborn magazine!