The Winner of the Swelle Giveaway is...

First, I'd like to say that after reading the responses to 'Tell us what you're doing to help a social or environmental cause or what you plan to do!' I wished I had the ability to award sainthoods. PONO, the company who donated the gorgeous necklace is active in social causes and adheres to strict, self-imposed environmental standards so I thought it appropriate that the contest entries reflect the same. So many of you are doing such amazing and thoughtful things with your time and reading about it made me want to reach through the screen and hug you. And more importantly, follow your lead.

This morning I put all the names in a hat and had my daughter pull one out and it was Argie! (I prefer the manual method to the online pickers - more tactile). Here was Argie's submission:

This post is awesome! As a student there isn't always time to dedicate to others, but I definitely do what I can at every chance. I start classes on Monday, but this weekend I am working on a mural project with the Girl Scouts of America. I wasn't a Girl Scout as a kid but to see the skills and values the girls develop is inspiring. And of course I always try to be as green as possible. My costume design research is presented in Power Point, Facebook event invites are a BIG thing for me, and I've always got reusable vinyl bags with me at the grocery store, library, or other shops. Fabric left over from projects goes into collage in my paintings or swatches for future costume designs, etc. A big thing for me also is Breast Cancer--I lost my aunt three years ago after it spread throughout her body. I click everyday at thebreastcancersite.com, volunteer at Susan G. Komen events, and try to educate others. If there's anything else I can do in my everyday life, someone let me know!

I happened to meet Argie while we were both in Paris in July and found out that she's a very talented, young artist, costume designer and student, among many other things. She's a very busy girl so the fact that she is offering her time to causes is truly an inspiration to the rest of us.

Thank you to all who entered, and a special thanks to PONO for donating this very generous prize. Argie's a lucky girl!

Watch for the next Swelle Giveaway coming up in September. Hint: it's a book!