It used to be that organizations united for a cause and those who supported them wore small ribbons made from colored fabric pinned on their clothing. Different organizations made certain colors reflective of their cause. A pink ribbon was usually related to breast cancer research, and a yellow ribbon showed support for our troops. This is how people showed support for different causes. That is, until recently.
Now, everywhere we look, magnetic ribbons have taken the place of those made of fabric and are being proudly displayed on everything from large, gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles to racy, compact Honda Civics. Emblazoned with words such as ASupport Our Troops,@ AGod Bless the USA@ and Atsunami relief,@ these magnets give the owners of these vehicles a way to show their patriotism or support for different causes.
Donning these ribbons on their vehicles is a great way for people to show support for various causes. That is, until others misconstrue the stickers’ original purpose. Some people use the popular ribbon craze as a way to tell the world what their name is, who they are in love with or what little league baseball team their kid is on. Sometimes they stick the ribbon to their car sideways in an obvious attempt to be trendy (like a baseball cap worn backwards).
Because of the ribbons= peaking popularity across the nation, many merchants are taking advantage of buyer demand to offer eager customers a way to customize their ribbons. Ribbons are now sold in every color of the rainbow, and many places allow the buyer to use his or her imagination as to what the ribbon will say. Aside from solid colored ribbons, camouflage and stars and stripes ribbons can also be purchased. The magnets usually range in price from $1 to $5 and can be purchased directly or even online. Because these ribbons can be displayed on any metallic surface, some people use them to adorn their mailboxes as a mere decoration and not a symbol of a worthy cause.
Most large retailers, gas stations and decal websites sell these Apersonalized@ magnetic ribbons for their own profit and are usually less expensive than those sold for fundraisers and charity.
However, some of the magnets that are seen on the road have been purchased from organizations that use the money for charitable causes such as that of the tsunami relief ribbon, which will help the victims of the tragic disaster, diabetes awareness and Breast Cancer Research to help find a cure. Care packages for troops have also been purchased by the sales of some yellow and other patriotic ribbons.
It=s necessary to understand that those organizations that used the colored ribbons for fund-raising long before the magnetic ribbon craze existed still need the money to support their causes. Instead of trying to be in on the latest fad or giving your money to some corporation that is just trying to make a profit off your patriotism, think about all the ways you could help by giving your money to those that really need it. A ribbon with a real message is much better than a trendy one without any meaning.
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