Ampersand Gives Back
Handmade with purpose. Giving back to the communities that matter.
Ampersand Creations has always been about creating things that mean something. Ampersand Gives Back takes that one step further by turning some of those creations into an ongoing way to support causes, organizations, and people in our community.
Throughout the year, designated Ampersand Gives Back collections support nonprofit organizations, community programs, and local causes. Many of these collections remain available year-round, while certain months put an extra spotlight on a particular cause.
Whenever possible, I choose organizations serving Sierra County and New Mexico. For causes where the right partner is farther from home, I choose organizations whose work closely connects with the people and communities the collection is intended to support.
Ampersand Gives Back is taking shape! We’re reaching out to our selected organizations to confirm participation and coordinate how donations will support their work. This page will be updated as recipients and giving details are confirmed.
Giving while we grow
While a recipient is being finalized, the advertised donation amount from each qualifying purchase will be tracked and set aside for that collection’s cause. Once the recipient is confirmed, those accumulated funds will be donated.
If a proposed organization is unable to participate, we’ll select another organization supporting the same cause. Confirmed recipients and donation updates will be shared here.
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20% of sales from designated Ampersand Gives Back products are donated to their associated nonprofit, organization, or community cause.
That means when you purchase an Ampersand Gives Back product, a portion of the actual sale price goes directly toward its designated cause.
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During a collection's designated awareness or spotlight month, Ampersand Creations gives even more.
100% of proceeds after actual material costs are donated, and I donate all of my labor.
Ampersand Creations retains only the material costs needed to create and replace the products sold during the campaign.
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Donations to partner organizations are calculated and made monthly, unless an organization requires a different donation process.
For special community projects, such as the Ampersand Classroom Fund and Birthday Give-Back, funds are collected and used according to the specific program.
How Giving Back Works
No vague “portion of proceeds.” No mystery percentage. You'll always be able to see how an Ampersand Gives Back purchase gives back.
Want to give without purchasing?
Contribute through our secure Square payment link and tell us which Ampersand Gives Back cause you’d like to support. Contributions are collected by Ampersand Creations, tracked by cause, and set aside until the recipient is confirmed.
Meet Our Causes
First Responders
Supporting those who answer the call in our community.
From firefighters and EMS crews to law enforcement and the dispatchers behind every call, our local first responders make a difference every day. The Ampersand First Responder Fund supports both practical needs and meaningful gestures of appreciation for those who serve our community.
20% of designated First Responder Collection sales will be set aside year-round. Our focus rotates quarterly, with one spotlight month each quarter when 100% of proceeds after material costs will be given back and all labor donated.
Police • Fire • EMS • Dispatch
Quarterly Focus
January - March:
Fire
February
April - June:
Dispatch
April
July - September:
EMS
July
October - December:
Police
November
All qualifying purchases support the quarter’s featured group, regardless of the service represented in the product’s design.
We’re reaching out to local departments to confirm recipients and learn what would be most helpful—from needed supplies to an appreciation meal. While recipients are being finalized, designated funds will be tracked and set aside. Confirmed recipients and giving updates will be shared here.
Animals & Pet Rescue
Supporting
Our Animal & Pet Collection helps support animals right here in our community. From pet-themed creations to rescue and memorial designs.
Spotlight Month:
January
Cancer Awareness
Supporting:
Cancer comes in many forms, and so does cancer awareness.
Our regularly available designs include general cancer awareness, breast cancer, childhood cancer, and colorectal cancer, with additional cancer ribbon colors available by request.
Every designated Cancer Awareness purchase supports the same mission: helping people affected by cancer here in Sierra County.
Spotlight Months:
February • All Cancer Awareness
March • Colorectal Cancer Awareness
September • Childhood Cancer Awareness
October • Breast Cancer Awareness
Don't see your ribbon?
Ask about a custom Cancer Awareness design. It gives back, too.
Developmental Disabilities & Neurodiversity
Supporting:
This collection celebrates different ways of thinking, learning, communicating, and experiencing the world while supporting programs and opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
Spotlight Month:
March
Autism Acceptance
Supporting:
Our Autism Acceptance Collection celebrates autistic people while helping support resources, education, advocacy, and community for autistic individuals and families throughout New Mexico.
Spotlight Month:
April
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Supporting: The New Horizons Counseling Center
Some messages are worth repeating:
You matter. You are wanted here. Your story isn't over.
The Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Collection supports New Horizons Counseling Center in Truth or Consequences and helps keep conversations about mental health, hope, and asking for help visible throughout the year.
Spotlight Months:
May • Mental Health Awareness
September • Suicide Prevention
NEED SUPPORT?
Call or text 988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free • Confidential • Available 24/7
Military Families
Supporting:
Supporting military families is close to my heart. My husband, Andrew, recently retired after serving in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, making this cause personal for our family. Through our Military Family Collection, we’re working to give back to families who serve. Our donation recipient is still being finalized, and designated donation funds will be tracked and set aside until confirmation.
Spotlight Month:
May • Military Appreciation Month
Pride & LGBTQ+ Community
Supporting:
The Pride Collection celebrates identity, belonging, and the freedom to be yourself while supporting resources and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in Southern New Mexico.
Spotlight Month:
June • Pride Month
Disability Pride & Accessibility
Supporting:
Disability Pride is about visibility, identity, accessibility, inclusion, and creating communities where disabled people can fully participate.
Spotlight Month:
July • Disability Pride Month
The Ampersand Classroom Fund
Teachers spend an extraordinary amount of their own money creating classrooms where their students can learn, explore, and feel at home.
20% of every Teacher Collection sale goes into the Ampersand Classroom Fund throughout the year.
Each summer, the Sierra County community will be invited to nominate a local teacher. One teacher will be selected, contacted privately, and asked what their classroom actually needs.
During August, Ampersand Creations will increase its giving, with 100% of proceeds after material costs from designated Teacher Collection products added to the fund and all labor donated.
At the end of the campaign, the accumulated Classroom Fund will be used to purchase items from the selected teacher's classroom wish list.
Spotlight Month:
August • Back to School
NOMINATIONS OPEN JULY 2027
ADHD, Dyslexia & Learning Differences
Supporting:
Different brains don't always learn the same way, and the right environment and support can make an enormous difference.
This collection recognizes ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences while supporting neurodivergent learners and their families in New Mexico.
Spotlight Month:
October
Veterans
Supporting:
Honoring those who served is personal to our family. With Andrew recently retired from the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, our Veterans Collection is a heartfelt way to give back to veterans here in our community. We’ll set aside 20% of designated sales year-round, with all proceeds after material costs donated during November and all labor donated. Our local recipient is being finalized, and funds will be tracked and set aside until confirmed.
Spotlight Month:
November • Veterans
Jolynne's Birthday Give-Back
In December, I'm celebrating my birthday by giving Christmas.
Each holiday season, Ampersand Creations will set aside funds to fulfill Christmas wishes from local Angel Trees.
Rather than promising a certain number of recipients, I'll use the amount raised to fully sponsor as many local Angel Tree wishes as the fund allows.
Some years that may mean one person. As Ampersand Creations grows, I hope that number grows too.
What matters is that every wish we choose is fulfilled with care.
Spotlight Month:
November 15 through the local Angel Tree gift deadline
Throughout December, purchases of non-cause products help fund local Angel Tree wishes. Products in our cause collections continue supporting their designated causes.
Our Giving Calendar
Month
Ampersand Giveback Spotlight
January
Animals & Local Shelter
February
All Cancer Awareness
March
Colorectal Cancer + Developmental Disabilities & Neurodiversity
April
Autism Acceptance
May
Mental Health + Military Appreciation
June
Pride & LGBTQ+ Community
July
Disability Pride & Accessibility
August
Back to School / Ampersand Classroom Fund
September
Suicide Prevention + Childhood Cancer
October
Breast Cancer + ADHD, Dyslexia & Learning Differences
November
Veterans
December
Birthday Give-Back / Angel Tree
The spotlight changes. The giving doesn't.
Many Ampersand Gives Back collections remain available throughout the year, with 20% of designated product sales continuing to support their associated causes even after their spotlight month ends.
Where did my purchase go?
I believe that if I tell you a purchase gives back, you should be able to know what that means.
Ampersand Creations tracks sales from designated Ampersand Gives Back products and calculates donations according to the giving structure shown on this page.
As campaigns are completed, fundraising totals and donations will be shared here so you can see what our little corner of New Mexico accomplished together.
2026 Giving
September Suicide Prevention: $______
A purchase can be a little more than a purchase.
Whether you're choosing something because a cause has touched your life, supporting someone you love, or simply found something that made you smile, every Ampersand Gives Back purchase becomes part of something bigger.
Are you an Ampersand Gives Back partner?
Have resources, upcoming events, or information you'd like me to share? Get in touch at jolynne@ampersandcreations25.com