CauseBraceletMania

I love it when commerce teams up with charity but I can't believe the nerve of some companies to take advantage of the popularity of the rubber bracelet trend started by Lance Armstrong.

The bracelets, which are worth about 25 cents each, are being sold by some enterprising individuals for upwards of $5 a piece, with $1 or less of the proceeds being donated to charity. 8 East Coast stores were fined for selling fake charity bracelets, and keeping the proceeds for themselves.

Just make sure your money is going where you intend it. The official website for the charity of your choice will have more information, like this announcement from the National MS Society:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is joining forces with TOPS Markets to offer the sale of the National MS Society's MS Band of HopeSM at 112 TOPS Pharmacy departments in New York, Pennsylvania, and Northeast Ohio. During this time, those who visit a TOPS Pharmacy will have the chance to purchase an MS Band of Hope for a dollar each, with 60% of the net proceeds going to fund service programs for people with MS and their families and support ongoing research in pursuit of a cure.

Happy shopping!