I recently joined 1% for the Planet, an organization that connects individuals and businesses with highly vetted environmental nonprofit organizations. I joined as an individual member and have pledged to donate 1% of my sales from Sharon Gaietto Photography (though I plan to give more). Since, I'm a one woman show, I am able to promote 1% for the Planet through my business as an individual member. All this week, I'll be highlighting the organizations that I will be supporting this year.

Today's organization is Gateway to the Great Outdoors. GGO partners with low-income public schools (currently in Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO) to provide extensive environmental, outdoor, and STEAM education. GGO’s curriculum combines hands-on, inquiry-based classroom STEAM instruction, and nature-based outings & overnight trips, with year-round mentorship provided by university students. GGO partners directly with the classroom science teachers to assure that the curriculum augments traditional classroom learning.

Being a former teacher, this organization appealed to me because I know how powerful education is and how important positive personal experiences can have on a child. My fondest memories of being a teacher were the field trips I took my students on. Being able to expose them to activities that they might not have otherwise experienced was extremely rewarding.