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.
Our giving community is growing!
We’re adding new designs, confirming donation recipients, and building out our cause collections. Check back regularly for updates! When a recipient is still being finalized, designated donation funds are set aside and saved until the recipient is confirmed.
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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
Community Heroes
Supporting those who serve and keep our community connected.
From firefighters and EMS crews to law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and the linemen who keep our power on, local heroes make a difference every day. The Ampersand Community Heroes Fund supports practical needs and meaningful gestures of appreciation for those who serve our community.
20% of designated Community Heroes Collection sales will be set aside year-round. The spotlight rotates among the five groups, with each receiving a 73-day focus period that includes one spotlight month. During each spotlight month, 100% of proceeds after material costs will be given back, and all labor will be donated.
Fire • Dispatch • Lineman • EMS • Law Enforcement
Spotlight
73-Day Focus
January 1-March 14:
Fire
February
March 15-May 26:
Dispatch
April
May 27-August 7:
Linemen
July
August 8-October 19:
EMS
September
October 20-December 31:
Law Enforcement
November
All qualifying purchases support the featured Community Heroes group during its 73-day focus period, regardless of which service is shown in the product design.
During each 73-day focus period, we’ll recognize all local teams in the featured Community Heroes group. The appreciation may be a meal, refreshments, or small thank-you gifts, depending on the funds raised. We’ll coordinate with local departments and organizations to choose a thoughtful way to include everyone.
Animals & Pet Rescue
Supporting:
Animals have always been a big part of my life. I grew up surrounded by cats, dogs, scorpions, rabbits, and pigs, and spent much of my childhood living on a ranch. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the animals who share our homes, farms, and communities.
Our Animals & Pet Rescue collection celebrates that bond through pet-themed creations, rescue designs, and memorial pieces honoring beloved companions. Purchases help support animal rescue and the people caring for animals in our community.
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. Additional ribbon colors are available by request.
This cause is deeply personal to me. My mother, aunt, and great-aunt have all had breast cancer and are thankfully in remission. My paternal grandmother passed away from colorectal cancer. With so many kinds of cancer affecting so many families, it was difficult to choose just a few to feature.
Every designated Cancer Awareness purchase supports the same mission: helping people affected by cancer here in Sierra County. I’d be glad to create a custom design for any cancer cause you’d like to recognize. Custom orders designated for this cause also contribute 20% of proceeds to it.
February • All Cancer Awareness
March • Colorectal Cancer Awareness
September • Childhood Cancer Awareness
October • Breast Cancer Awareness
Spotlight Months:
Don't see your ribbon?
Ask about a custom Cancer Awareness design. It gives back, too.
Autism Acceptance
Supporting:
Our Autism Acceptance Collection celebrates autistic people while supporting resources, education, advocacy, and community for autistic individuals and families throughout New Mexico.
I was recently diagnosed as autistic, after suspecting it for some time. I’m still learning, especially from autistic people and families who have been navigating this experience for much longer. Autism is often misunderstood, and I hope to use my platform to help build greater understanding and make things better for our community.
Spotlight Month:
April • Autism Acceptance Month
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.
This cause is personal to me. I’ve lived with several mental health diagnoses and struggled for much of my life, including with suicidal thoughts. With support from medication and counseling, I’m still here—and doing better than ever. I give back because I want others to know that support can make a difference, and that no one should have to face these struggles alone.
Spotlight Months:
May • Mental Health Awareness
September • Suicide Prevention
NEED SUPPORT?
Call or text 988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free • Confidential • Available 24/7
Supporting:
Military Families - Operation Homefront
Veterans -
Military Families & Veterans
Supporting military families and veterans is close to my heart. My husband, Andrew, retired in 2024 after serving in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, and I spent several years as a military spouse. I understand some of the challenges families face during service and the transition to civilian life. I’ve also seen the struggles veterans can experience after their service ends.
Through our Military Families & Veterans Collection, we hope to give back to those who have served and the families who stand beside them. We’re finalizing the donation recipient. Until it’s confirmed, designated funds will be tracked and set aside for the cause.
May • Military Appreciation Month
November • Veterans
Spotlight 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.
As a pansexual woman, I spent many years questioning who I was and hiding parts of myself. I want you to know that you’re not alone. You are welcome here, and you’re safe with me.
Spotlight Month:
June • Pride Month
Disability Pride & Accessibility
Supporting:
Disability Pride is about visibility, identity, accessibility, and inclusion—and building communities where disabled people can fully participate.
I’ve been disabled since 2016, and I know how difficult it can be to navigate healthcare, face ableism, and build or maintain friendships when your needs and restrictions are misunderstood. I want this collection to affirm that disabled people matter, belong, and deserve to participate fully in their communities. Accessibility is a human right.
Spotlight Month:
July • Disability Pride Month
The Ampersand Classroom Fund
Supporting: Local Sierra County Teachers
I’ve always had a soft spot for teachers, and becoming a substitute made it even stronger. As a long-term substitute, I saw how much time and care teachers pour into their students—and how meaningful those connections are in helping every child succeed.
Through the Ampersand Classroom Fund, I want to support education in Sierra County and help local teachers give their students the best opportunities they can. Teachers do so much for their students; this fund is one way to show up for them and the kids they care for.
Spotlight Month:
August • Back to School
NOMINATIONS OPEN JULY 15th 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. I have ADHD and a learning disability myself, so this cause is close to my heart. I hope these designs help celebrate the many ways people learn, think, and experience the world.
Spotlight Month:
October
Epilepsy Awareness
Supporting:
Epilepsy awareness is deeply personal to me—both my sister and I live with epilepsy. Through Ampersand Gives Back, I want to help spark conversations, build understanding, and remind others living with epilepsy that they are not alone.
Every awareness creation is made with love, inspired by our experiences and the community we’re part of. Thank you for helping me bring more visibility and support to a cause close to my heart.
Spotlight Month:
November
Domestic Violence Awareness
Supporting:
Everyone deserves safety and support. Our Domestic Violence Awareness Collection stands with survivors and helps fund local survivor services.
During October, 100% of proceeds after actual material costs will be set aside for this cause, and I donate all of my labor. For the rest of the year, 20% of designated sales will continue to give back.
We’re working to confirm a local recipient. Until then, giving amounts will be tracked and set aside for this cause. We’ll share the recipient and giving updates here once confirmed.
Spotlight Month:
October
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.
Starting November 15th, fifty percent of profits from sales not already designated for another cause—including custom orders—will go toward the Angel Tree fund. We’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 the number of wishes we can fulfill grows too.
What matters most 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
Animals & Local Shelter
January
All Cancer Awareness
February
Colorectal Cancer + Developmental Disabilities & Neurodiversity
March
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 & Domestic Violence Awareness
November
Veterans & Epilepsy Awareness
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: $ 19
October | Breast Cancer Awareness: $ 18
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