You might not have been aware of it at the time, but if you purchased anything from Amazingy.com this past winter, you contributed to helping refugees on the Greek island of Lesvos. Last holiday season, Amazingy made a donation of €2000 to Movement on the Ground, a foundation that responds to the humanitarian crises that affect innocent men, women and children who are forced from their homes by climate change, poverty and war.

Founded early summer 2015 by a group of young, ambitious Dutch people, Movement on the Ground aims to identify the needs of refugees and small organisations that are helping refugees. By employing a wide network of financial and structural partners, the organisation raises funds and materials to meet these needs, and distributes them to selected (micro) charities on the ground that provide care for arriving and stranded refugees.

Movement on the Ground aims to be a cooperative platform that connects funds, organisations and people to each other. The organization operates with a hands on approach that results in action directly where it is needed, as quickly as possible. Whenever possible, they keep to the principles of sustainability: sourcing from local producers and reducing waste output. They are even promoting tourist holidays in Lesvos to support the local community that has, in general, been so welcoming to people in need.

At Amazingy, we believe in sharing. We donate a percentage of our turnaround to small charity projects and plant a tree for each order. Last December, Amazingy founders Ingy and Floris heard from a group of their friends from back in Amsterdam who wanted to do more than just donate a little money to a random cause and feel helpless. They all took time off from work, got organized (using their professional experience and personal networks) and left for Lesvos. For Amazingy, it seemed only natural to donate to this fantastic initiative. To make a gesture in the spirit of Movement on the Ground and do a bit more, Amazingy decided to donate the yearly Christmas budget to Movement on the Ground instead of spending it on Christmas presents. And that we can of course do thanks to you, our loyal customers. Thank you!

Movement on the ground not only looks to give financial and material aid, it also offers a platform for people who would like to give some of their time to help charities both in Greece and back in the Netherlands. If you would like to donate directly or volunteer for one of the many small charities in Lesvos that Movement on the Ground endorses, please visit http://movementontheground.com/