EarthDay is one of the largest, most respected environmental activist organizations in the World. As sponsors of the original Earth Day in 1970, and of many significant events since (including EarthDay 2000 in April, 2000), EarthDay shares many significant goals with Greenstar.

Therefore, EarthDay is now a Greenstar Premium Partner. This means that, when you visit the Greenstar website as you're doing now, and make a purchase, a portion of the proceeds will be paid to EarthDay Network.

Everybody wins. You get some extraordinary, unusual and thoughtful gifts to use for the holidays or any occasion. EarthDay gains support for its important projects and Greenstar 's international projects, based in developing countries, also benefit.

So, who is Greenstar?

Greenstar is founded on a simple idea: that people, no matter where they live, have the same basic needs: for food, shelter, caring for their children and families, building their future, leading a life of learning, creativity and dignity. Where people in emerging nations don't enjoy the social and economic conditions to support these basic needs, all they need is the tools to grow by themselves, some assistance and startup resources.

And then they need everyone else to get out of the way.

Greenstar's concrete approach to delivering on this promise is also very simple: a self-contained, solar-powered, Web-connected community center. Including a medical clinic and telemedicine connections, a classroom, a commercial-grade photovoltaic solar power array, and a satellite dish for telecommunications.

Then, make it self-financing through ecommerce on the Internet.

We create a commercial website to market products from the village worldwide, and promote the site to nearly 200 million people who work, shop and learn on the Web every day. Allow them to connect with the people in the villages by email. The people in the village will decide for themselves how to use the income to improve their lives.

In a few months, a village can advance 1000 years, from a position where there is no electricity, no telephone or computer, no clean water, little medical or educational support, and little income, to a position where they are independent, growing, and connected to the world community.

A trial installation is underway on the West Bank, in a remote Palestinian village, with great success. To learn more, see http://www.greenstar.org/newsletter.htm

What do these people have to offer that you would be interested in -- for holiday gifts, for your home or office?

A surprising variety of beautiful and unique items -- from the historic Hebron area, which figures strongly in the scriptural events of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Gorgeous brassware; subtle glassware and ceramics; finely-formed pottery.

And their culture -- live music recorded recently in the village, with extraordinary Bedouin sounds from a tradition more than 5000 years old. You can get a free sample of this amazing music by clicking here.

We also developed a gallery of artwork produced by the children and adults of the community, which shows a startling clarity of vision, and fine artistic balance. These digital products can be downloaded direct to your computer, where within minutes you'll hear amazing music and see stunning artwork. Find out more by clicking here.

Denis Hayes, the originator of Earth Day in 1970 and still a prime mover today in the organization, says in part:

"Let's face it: Anything 2000 has a nice ring to it.

The 20 million of us who were fortunate enough to be involved in launching the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, could not have dreamed of the opportunity that now lies before us 30 years later.

We fought then for the successful establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and passage of the first Clean Air Act with any teeth in it.

By Earth Day 1990, our numbers had increased tenfold. The international groundswell led to the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and the establishment of the first-ever environmental protection agencies in many countries throughout the world.

A decade later, Earth Day 2000 will have more than 500 million participants representing nearly every nation on earth. This time, the great democratizing force of the Internet is helping us put our heads together well in advance.

That Earth Day has survived as an annual, international event is a heartening testament to the strength of a good idea. It is also evidence that substantial numbers of us can transcend our troublesome tribal reflexes, and embrace the reality that we all live in a place known as Downstream.

What can you do? Hang out on our Earth Day 2000 website and you will find your way to where you are needed. We citizens and good shepherds of the earth now have the ability to unite in greater numbers and potency than ever. Join us in making our collective voice come through loud and clear to policy makers public and private.

A hearty welcome back to all you war dogs of Earth Day 1970 and 1990. And an urgent welcome aboard to all who care about having an Earth Day 2030. "

Significant links to the EarthDay Network website:

Make a purchase here on the Greenstar website. Or call, toll-free to 877-282-9900 to quickly receive a printed catalog by overnight mail (323-422-9602 outside the U.S. and Canada).

That's all. Greenstar automatically pays 8% of your total purchase, including shipping, to EarthDay, which uses the funds to support its important work.

Thank you from Greenstar and EarthDay Network.