If you find me on any given day I am more than likely spending time at home with my family, visiting with friends, developing products for Casa di Francesca or volunteering with a charity. These are the times when I am most happy and fulfilled. When I created Casa di Francesca I wanted its foundation to be based on the idea of reaching out to others with acts of kindness. Whether it is a simple as creating a fragrance that adds a little bliss to each day or donating a percentage of our sales to a charity, I want everything we do to involve an act of kindness. We launched in November of 2008 by giving back a percentage of our sales to St. Judes and continue our efforts to reach out and make a difference. Every time you purchase an item from Casa di Francesca it comes from our home to yours so that together we can help theirs. Because you reached out you have already made a difference. If you would like to find out more about the charities you have helped please click the links below.

Have a Grateful Day,

- Katie Borghese

Heartworks

Heartworks is a local charity that originated with a group of women in Bernardsville, New Jersey, mostly moms, who get together once a month for food, wine and good intentions. Heartworks was created in response to the tremendous acts of kindness that sustained so many families for the weeks, months and years following September 11, 2001. The mission of Heartworks is to create opportunities for women to gather for their own spiritual and emotional growth and to generate acts of kindness in the community and throughout the world. For more information about the Bernardsville Heartworks meetings, making a donation or starting your own Heartworks group, please contact Megan McDowell at megan@njheartworks.org or write to: Heartworks Foundation P.O. Box 296 Bernardsville, NJ 07924.

The Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center

Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center (SHHRC) is a non-profit registered charitable organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine assisted activities, equine assisted therapy and educational initiatives. SHHRC is designated as a Premier Accredited Center of NARHA, who provides education, accreditation and resources for the equine assisted activities industry. For more information please contact Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center at shhrc.org.

The Breast Cancer Network of Strength

The Breast Cancer Network of Strength provides resources and emotional support to anyone affected by breast cancer, and through information, empowerment, and peer support ensures that no one will have to face breast cancer alone. The Breast Cancer Network of Strenghth’s programs include YourShoes™, which is a peer support program that includes a 24/7 breast cancer support center staffed by trained breast cancer survivors providing peer support through a toll-free hotline, e-mail and support groups. The organization also raises money for outreach programs, breast health awareness workshops, wigs and prostheses banks for women with limited resources, and advocacy on breast cancer related policies. For more information please visit networkofstrength.org

Casa di Francesca believes that every woman should have the information, emotional support, and resources that she needs when she is affected by breast cancer. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Casa di Francesca will be donating $2 from every purchase of three beautiful diffuser kits to Breast Cancer Network of Strength®. Network of Strength provides resources and emotional support to anyone affected by breast cancer, and through information, empowerment, and peer support ensures that no one will have to face breast cancer alone. Casa di Francesca will be donating $2 from each purchase of three exclusive Sicilian Pink Grapefruit diffuser kits to Network of Strength, all featuring handmade Murano glass vases: one pink and white, one green and white, and one multicolored. Our donation will fund Network of Strength’s programs, including YourShoes™, a 24/7 breast cancer support center, outreach programs, breast health awareness workshops, and wigs and prostheses banks for women with limited resources.