Don’t think us too corny, but this holiday season, Mary Peirce and I decided to reclaim the “12 Days of Christmas.” For the next twelve days we are going to highlight a dozen of our wonderful Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Ambassadors. These folks have committed to help CRS spread the word about the power of Fair Trade as part of their commitment to economic justice. We have more than 50 word-of-mouth marketers around the country making Fair Trade a part of their spiritual journeys, building community through service, and linking up on places like Facebook.

Patricia Ribeiro of San Francisco, CA, for example, became a CRS Certified Fair Trade Ambassador in May 2008. Patricia believes in the importance of growing the demand and the marketplace for Fair Trade products. Her plan of action includes working to persuade parishes and organizations to switch to Fair Trade coffee and to use Fair Trade products. Recently, she staffed a Fair Trade table at the Faith Formation Conference in Santa Clara as one of her outreach activities.

With 2009 on the horizon, Patricia has recently recommitted to Fair Trade outreach in the midst of her school and work commitments. Support for Patricia and her 50+ other Ambassadors is made possible in part through the Fair Trade Fund, which you resupply every time you make a purchase from a CRS Fair Trade coffee, chocolate or crafts partner!