W O R T H W H I L E
ART I S T S, DE SIG NE R S, CR AFTERS AND MAKERS USING T H E I R C R E AT I V I T Y F O R G O O D BY JANINE VANGOOL
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he idea for Make it Worthwhile began a few years ago, and I first tried to create some momentum via a Tumblr website and Instagram account to share a collection of projects, people and organizations that are dedicated to making their creative endeavours worthwhile. But with only me contributing content, I burnt out quickly. I took the idea to heart, though, and am actively working daily to make sure that what I create via UPPERCASE is worthwhile and has a positive impact in the world. Each quarter, I provide Creative Boost subscriptions to readers facing difficult circumstances and send complimentary cartons to community-minded nonprofits. With each print run of the magazine, I also give away at least 500 copies for these purposes. Over the past couple of years, I’ve given away hundreds of back issues to schools, arts groups and other nonprofits. With each subscription and renewal, UPPERCASE also purchases a tree through TreeEra. Though the magazine’s interior pages are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, it feels right to help replenish forests. Since January 2018, we’ve planted nearly 6,000 trees! My resolve for 2019 is to find better packaging solutions for UPPERCASE magazines and books.
TreeEra tree planting in British Columbia, Canada, June 2018. treeera.com Make it Worthwhile wordmark by Christopher Rouleau. christopherrouleau.com
Make it Worthwhile is now part of the UPPERCASE Circle, our online community for magazine subscribers. I encourage you to join us and to share links to projects, people and organizations that are dedicated to making their creative endeavours worthwhile—folks who are going beyond thinking of themselves and discovering how they can better the world, whether that’s through craftivism, raising funds for causes, fighting for equality and lifting up underserved groups, or simply using one’s talent to highlight something of importance. My intention is to showcase these projects: not only to help promote them within a caring community but also to inspire you to do something. You can be a positive force through your art. You can craft a difference. You can design a solution. You can make it worthwhile. makeitworthwhile.org uppercasecircle.com
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