Pay it Forward… The Giving Keys

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3 years ago I was at Nine Zero One Salon getting my hair cut. While getting shampooed, I saw these old beautiful keys hanging on the wall. They were very old and kind of banged up… yet hanging on beautiful gold chains. Hummmmm Upon further inspection I noticed what looked like a hand stamped word…. LOVE… on another… STRENGTH…. on another…. COURAGE. I instantly fell in LOVE…. with The Giving Keys. I raced to the front desk to find out all I could about these old special keys. They explained that a friend of the owners, Cailtlin Crosby, started this company by acquiring old keys and having people down on their luck… stamp them with inspirational words. I was to buy that key and give it to someone that needed those words. I was with my daughter Beau and we were getting ready for her engagement party… so I bought her LOVE. So that she could bask in the LOVE of her fiancé, James Fay for the rest of her life. Beau returned the favor and bought me a tiny little key also with LOVE…. explaining that it was the LOVE that she had for me. As tiny drops of tears flowed… I knew I had to share this amazing story. So 3 years ago I did a little story here on FABULOUS365 about The Giving Keys. I had so many calls after the story went live…. that I am sure they sold out that day.

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On to Mother’s Day this year… 2015. Beau shows up on Mother’s Day morning with a beautiful key stamped with the word “Darling” and a video of a man hand stamping it…. just for me. Darling is my name that her child will one day call me. Talk about “Pay it Forward!” Beau had met Caitlin Crosby…. the woman behind The Giving Keys… and went for a visit to her work shop. The love and elegance that went into that stamping was astounding to watch. They key itself holds a special message and I am honored to have such a personal key.

Side Note: The Giving Keys does not personalize keys. The whole point of the inspirational word stamped on each key is… to bring that forward into our lives… all while helping those less fortunate than ourselves.

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From The Giving Keys Site:
Since the beginning, The Giving Keys has employed 19 people experiencing homelessness, providing opportunities for the team members to move into permanent housing. 
Today, The Giving Keys are carried in over 1200 stores in the US and internationally including Nordstrom, Fred Segal and Kitson. 
In March of 2013 The Giving Keys began partnering with Chrysalis to help find more employees. Chrysalis is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. 
As the staff of The Giving Keys grew, they moved in June of 2013 to the Los Angeles’ neighborhood of Lincoln Heights, where they have plenty of space to expand and develop the team.
Now that you know each of these keys were hand stamped with love, we hope their inspiring stories inspire you not only to support our cause with your purchase, but also to keep your eyes peeled for the next person who plays a part in that key’s journey.
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Laura Dunn Giving Keys Review
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Please help “Pay it Forward” by getting someone you love…. or someone that needs to see that special word… a key and help support this beautiful organization.
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Caitlin Crosby: Founder of The Giving Keys…. Our Heroine!
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18 thoughts on Pay it Forward… The Giving Keys

  1. I actually got one of these from a dear friend of mine when I was going through a very difficult time. I absolutely love it! Every time I see it or wear it, I think of her and how much it means to me.

  2. Darling….that is so cute! Better than Grandma! You just don’t seem like a “grandma” (name) type. I think Darling is fitting.

  3. What a metaphor of Life.
    A key opens and closes doors to your heart, home, cars, keepsake treasures, secrets…..
    We all possess a little talent in opening someone’s space, heart , bringing in life, love and closing and locking and leaving when necessary!
    Love these LD!!! And love giving one!!

  4. Love the key idea and paying it forward!!!
    Saw you at LV with that necklace rocking it! Beautiful just like YOU!

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