We founded HIKE for Mental Health on the idea of doing something good for others (those suffering from major mental illness) while doing something we love to do (hiking).

During the holiday season, many of us will be doing something else we love – shopping. Okay, not all of us love to shop. But we will all probably do some shopping this time of year.

So in the spirit of doing good for others while doing something we love, or maybe just something we have to do, here are 4 ways your holiday shopping can benefit HIKE for Mental Health, and none of them will cost you a penny.

1. Goodshop

When you shop through Goodshop, not only will you save money using their coupons, but GoodShop will donate a percentage every gift you buy to HIKE for Mental Health! For 2014, We have already earned more than $700 from Goodshop. Help us get to $1,000.

Goodshop features a wide range of popular stores, including Amazon, Target, Macy’s, Staples, REI and hundreds of others that you probably already visit.

Even travel sites like Expedia will make a donation to HIKE for Mental Health if you book flights, hotels, or rental cars through Goodshop.

If you haven’t tried Goodshop before, just click through. It will get an idea right away whether it is for you.

2. AmazonSmile

If you are an Amazon shopper, then please use AmazonSmile. It is totally free and is exactly the same as Amazon, except that when you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon makes a 0.5% donation to HIKE for Mental Health. That may not sound like much, but Amazon is so big that it really adds up. Already this year we have received more than $115 from AmazonSmile.

One of the nicest things about AmazonSmile is that, once you save the bookmark, you do not have to remember to do anything when you shop. Just shop normally using the AmazonSmile bookmark instead of the plain Amazon site, and the donation will happen automatically. The prices and discounts on AmazonSmile are exactly the same as on Amazon.

So click this link and then save it as a bookmark for the next time you shop Amazon.

3. Stitch Creations by Jessica

Looking for unique, funky, hand-made gifts this year? Check out Stitch Creations by Jessica.

She donates $5 from every sale of the HIKE for Mental Health designs to us. Plus, she periodically runs monthly specials in which she makes donations to HIKE for Mental Health as well.

In addition to her standard designs, she does custom work. I guarantee they will all put a smile on your face.

If you need something colorful to brighten your day, or someone else’s, click on over to her page.

4. The Bracelet Slinger

This holiday season, The Bracelet Slinger is donating a $1 from every bracelet sale to HIKE for Mental Health.

Check out her wide selection of great friendship and climbing bracelets. These are just a few of her many creative designs.

Her store can be found through this link.

Where will this money go?

The donations we receive from affiliates like Goodshop and AmazonSmile and from friends like Jess and Linn help us to offset our operating costs – shirts, business fees and other expenses necessary to run a non-profit. So we really appreciate the help – whatever costs we can’t cover through these affiliates comes from our own pockets, to the tune of thousands of dollars a year.

So if you are going to shop online this year, please check out the options listed above. They can save you money and generate automatic donations for HIKE for Mental Health. Thanks for listening.