SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kudos Trading Co. (kudos.tc), the "thank you engine" for mobile giving, introduced three moving philanthropic kudos today to benefit the following non-profit organizations:  Love, Light & Melody, The Thrive House for Youth, and Grassroot Soccer.  Kudos Trading Co. offers three types of kudos:  stationery (free), moving (philanthropic) and good (tangible, creme-de-la-creme gifts). Moving kudos raise money for select non-profit organizations.  All three types of kudos can be shared on social networks like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Rugged Elegance.  Rugged Elegance, "the soulful network," is where Kudos Trading Co. was born in 2011.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121214/SF29819)

The Love, Light and Melody kudo is a partnership between Kudos Trading Co. co-founders, Jennifer King & Timothy Fredel, and DISPATCH drummer & lead singer, Brad Corrigan.  Love, Light & Melody, is a philanthropic organization, created by Corrigan, that is dedicated to battling the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of extreme poverty in the United States and Nicaragua. Recipients of the Love, Light and Melody kudo are presented with an original kudosong written, produced and sung by Brad Corrigan.  

Leaving the music studio having produced his first kudosong which includes a banjo and a harmonica, Corrigan said, "We are super honored to be invited into this partnership of giving, so kudos to Kudos Trading Co.!"   

King, an Internet and now a mobile pioneer, who had the vision for the Love, Light and Melody kudo, calls it 'The Holy Trinity of Giving:' A beautiful moving gift, an inspiring song, and a philanthropic donation in honor of the recipient. 100% of the proceeds from this kudo given go directly to support the non-profit organization, Love, Light and Melody." 

Kudos Trading Co. has also created a holiday Thrive kudo to benefit The Thrive House for Youth, a community space in the heart of San Francisco that provides children and youth with a nurturing home-like environment to learn life skills, pursue their passions, form meaningful relationships, and thrive.  Mentors, tutors, counselors, and educators from a dozen different youth serving organizations utilize The Thrive House to work with children across all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic groups. Thrive House for Youth Executive Director, Thuy Nguyen said, "With Jennifer and Tim's unique entrepreneurial talents and philanthropic leadership, both our volunteers and kids are creating a new culture of gratitude within our community."  Children come to The Thrive House after school to be mentored intellectually, emotionally or spiritually.  They are taught the importance of identifying what their "spark" is in life.  Thuy added, "Now, via stationery kudos, at no cost, over 200 kids are learning the art of saying 'Thank you.'"

Moving kudo senders donate anywhere between $1 and $1100 per kudo ~ in the name of their recipient.  The Thrive kudo presents an animated snowman holding an ice cream cone who ice skates the shape of a heart around the word 'T H R I V E.'  In one week, during a beta-test with Rugged Elegance members, the Thrive kudo ( kudos.tc/thrive ) raised nearly $2,000 for The Thrive House for Youth.  

Grassroot Soccer, which uses the power of soccer to fight AIDS in Africa, benefits from every "You Make A World of Difference" moving kudo ( http://kudos.tc/grs ).  Tommy Clark, co-founder of Grassroot Soccer, said, "Jennifer King, Tim Fredel and the King family have been long-time supporters of GRS.  We are grateful to be promoted as a Select Rugged Elegance Philanthropy and as a beneficiary of the King Fredel's second mobile venture, Kudos Trading Co. "

"At the Forbes 400 Philanthropy Summit, this past summer, I was inspired by Oprah Winfrey, Jon Bon Jovi, Kathy Ireland, Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, Steve Forbes and many others from around the world who have become social entrepreneurs," said Jennifer Carolyn King, co-founder of Rugged Elegance, Kudos Trading Co. and The Thrive House for Youth.  "We had been giving a portion of the proceeds from every good kudo to a Select Rugged Elegance Philanthropy.  Now, we have created a line of moving kudos where 100% of the proceeds goes to support our Select Philanthropies.  Where Rugged Elegance provides an online forum for philanthropists, Kudos provides an easy-to-use mobile tool to give and spread good in the world."

"As the holiday giving season nears full swing, Kudos Trading Co. is creating a simple way to acknowledge friends, co-workers and family in a stressless and meaningful way without breaking the bank," said Timothy Fredel, Kudos.tc co-founder.  "And for that certain recipient who is in search of a small, creme-de-la-creme gift?  Kudos also allows you to send a scoop of Humphry Slocombe ice cream, a Pacific Puff, handmade XOX Truffles, Fleur*t flowers, Corazon juice, or a Coolhaus ice cream sandwich to help loved-ones end the year on a sweet note!"

SOURCE Kudos Trading Co.