Raise the Bar Hershey

RAISE THE BAR CAMPAIGN

Did you know that much of the chocolate - candy, cocoa, ice cream - you eat is made with ingredients produced by slave labor? Next time you buy a chocolate product check to see whether it has a label certifying it as being made from cacao beans produced without labor by abducted children. You can find a list of these labels at this site.

www.fair-trade-hub.com/fair-trade-certified-label.html

Particularly in the West African countries of Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Ghana large plantations use this type of labor to harvest the crop. Children from neighboring Mali are often the targets of false promises of easy money and are smuggled across the border by motorcycle taxis. Once there they are exposed to long hours, dangerous conditions and no chance to escape.

In spite of signing an International Labour Organization (ILO) protocol in 2001, some major chocolate producers purchase their ingredients from export companies that are ignoring the protocol. The chocolate companies use the excuse that they don’t own the plantations so they have no control.

The major American company guilty of continuing these practices is Hershey. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), of which some of you are members, is partnering with several other groups to tell Hershey to “Raise the Bar” and change its practices. You can find more information about what is happening and how to help by checking the websites of these groups.

www.globalexchange.org

www.laborrights.org

www.greenamerica.org

www.oaisusa.org

www.greenopolis.com

www.change.org

Did you ever make S’mores - perhaps as part of a summer vacation or camping trip. A special part of this campaign is the “We Want More from our S’mores”. This is asking people around the country to hold S’more parties this summer using Fair Trade chocolate. Then send the information about the party to one of the organizing groups such as www.raisethebarhershey.org or www.change.org . The group will let Hershey know how we feel about their lack of action.

Next time you’re at First Parish you can sign a petition for Hershey. Or sign one online at one of the sites listed above.

Summer Services Notice

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The July 24 service will be Susan Holton/First Principle Project: Standing on the Side of Love: How Do We Do That?

August 21 is currently open.

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First Parish celebrates Fourth of July

The First Parish Church did it up big again for the Town of Bridgewater's Fourth of July celebration. Many church members pitched in to put on the annual Snack Bar, Lemonade Stand and Book Sale. After viewing the downtown parade, customers lined up for the fresh and tasty food and drinks... including our popular strawberry shortcake and homemade lemonade. Books, CDs and DVDs sold well at the Book Sale.

The Rev. Ed Hardy and Janet Dye, member of the church's Green Sanctuary Committee, at the information table on the BSU Quad.

This year, we added an information table on the Bridgewater State University Quad along with artisans and other vendors. On display were assorted pamphlets on Unitarian Universalism, the First Parish Church and environmental issues. Free tap water was also available for people and pets. Many folks, young an dold, stopped by for a quick drink and a chat. Our simple environmental message: "You don't need to buy bottled water. Tap water tastes just as good and drinking it is better for the planet, creating less plastic waste." People were also encouraged to recycle their cups. All in all, it was a great day!

Summer Services Notice

The July 24 service will be Susan Holton/First Principle Project: Standing on the Side of Love: How Do We Do That?

The August 21 is currently open.