World Aids Day - Are You Buying It?

Today is World Aids Day. This day is meant to raise awareness and financial support for the millions around the world living with HIV/AIDS. This year has a bit of a twist.

The RED campaign was created to help with raising awareness and money. Companies like American Express, Gap, Apple, Converse and others have special products for sale with part of the proceeds going to the Global Fund. Musicians and other entertainers are behind the campaign. Bono helped to created the project. (Clip here.)

Some folks complained that it feeds on our need to consume. The RED manifesto is clear when it says it is not a charity, but a business model. Others have said not enough is given from each product. The RED iPod Nano sells for $200. $10 is given to RED, leaving some to call for simply giving $10 directly and not spending the rest.

We have more than one iPod around our house and I find myself wanting the Red one too. I don't need it. I didn't need any of them. I don't need any of this stuff. And, I guess, that is the point. I just need to give.

But will I? Will you? Or do we have to get something in return?

Don't hear me saying that if you support the RED "business model" that is bad thing. I don't believe it is. What I'm saying is...I wish I had the same need to give as I do to get. I want, I want, I want...for myself. True RED(emption) turns that around.

By the way, if you want to just give, look here.

Or something closer to home.