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JEWISH WAY- Spring 2011
WINK AND A SMILE
Discover a children’s store that offers more than the naked eye can see: GIVE WINK.

For most people, getting involved with a charity is a passive experience, something that just happens when you final earn enough money to dish some out in turn. You learn about various causes through business opportunities, social events and even television commercials or telemarketing phone calls, and you eventually settle on a pet project – perhaps Operation Smile, Habitat for Humanity or Doctrors Without Borders – where you can donate during random events, like natural disasters, or annual events, such as birthdays or the holidays. Then, you not only have the satisfaction of giving, you have the added benefit of a shelter for your money during tax season.

Fortunately for the needy children in Colombia, North Miami Beach businesswoman Francine Delarosa isn’t like most people. When it came time for her to identify a cause to which she wanted to devote her time and money, she took an entirely different approach: She built one from the ground up. Indeed, having started both her full-service children’s store and her family from scratch, it never occurred to her there might have been an easier way.

“After I had my kids – three boys- I realized how fortunate I really am,” Delarosa says. “I wanted to build a full-service retail store that provided a wide selection of furniture and bedding, room décor, baby gear and accessories, educational toys and games, and personalized gifts. But I also wanted to help. That is how Give Wink was born. We tend to overlook the fact that we are so lucky and have so much in our favor. Our customers can spend money on beautiful furniture because the necessities are a given. I realized I wanted to give back to children who aren’t born into affluence, surrounded by luxury.”

Thus the birth of Give a Wink, a charity devoted to bringing eye care to underprivileged children in Colombia, where Delarosa’s family originated. “I thought long and hard about how I wanted to help. Eye care is such a basic need but nobody thinks about it until you’re sitting in front of a child who can’t read because he can’t see,” she notes.

Delarosa’s desire to bring optical health to poverty-stricken children may not have been entirely whimsical or even based on the name of her store, which was coincidental. She says, “When we did our first event, I found out that my great-grandfather had started an eye care clinic in the town in Columbia where he came from. He wanted to cure blindness, which his father was suffering from.”

Whether it’s coincidence or in her blood doesn’t really matter. Delarosa believes that “eyes are the windows of the world,” and her passion for polishing those metaphorical panes of glass is year round. To that end, she sets aside money from her Give Wink business in North Miami Beach, where she personally tests every product, to the charity; for every sale of $100, Give Wink donates a full eye exam and prescription glasses to a child in need. She organized her first drive, which brought doctors and equipment to Barranquilla, in 2009, and expects to have another this summer, where she hopes to take some of her customers (perhaps via raffle) with her to see the results of their generosity. “When we did our first event,” she says, “we say how our efforts changed lives. I’d like some of our best customers to experience that.”

Still, you don’t have to go all the way to Colombia to make a difference. “Why not buy a crib and help a kid at the same time?” Delarosa asks. “You don’t have to donate any additional money. Just make a purchase.” After all, if you’re building a family, you’re going to need nursery furniture anyway. Helping a child to see, and therefore learn to read, at the same time, is a gift you may have never thought of giving. But if it were your child, it would be something you’d want to receive.

To donate money or prescription glasses to Give Wink, or find out more information about the charity or Give Wink products, please visit www.givewink.com.

MSN POSTBOX – March 7, 2011
Give Wink
SPRING FORWARD

Oshi Eco-Friendly Mat ($50)
This adorable baby mat is a cushion and clean surface for outdoor activities, your child can lay, sit and play on a comfortable surface.

Plasma Car ($69)
One of the world’s best-selling children’s ride-on-toys requires no batteries, pedals, gears, or electrical parts to propel the car, you simply turn the steering wheel, and away you go!
Visit givewink.com for more information.
Give Wink, Miami Springs

OK! MAGAZINE – May 30, 2011
OK!S HOT THIS WEEK
Baby Must-Have

Melissa Rycroft loves the new iCandy Peach stroller, the newest addition to the British luxury line for moms, found at givewink.com.

UPSCALE MAGAZINE – May 2011
GOOD’S, GADGETS AND GARMENTS
Here you go, Mommy. Right at your fingertips is our roundup of summer’s coolest stuff for your even cooler kids!

DOUBLE YOUR FUN
Able to transform more than 20 different ways, the iCandy Pear double stroller is the ideal stroller for two wee ones. Whether you need a bassinet, a chair or accommodations for a car seat, you’re sure to find the perfect combination. Starting at $629.99 / givewink.com

THE MIAMI HERALD – June 13, 2011
HOT STUFF THAT FAMOUS FATHERS LOVE

Buy
For the new dad who wants to spend quality time with his recent offspring we like this high function meets fashionable accessory by Skip Hop. How genius is this? Tote this lightweight, insulated messanger bag out to the beach, then open it up and it becomes an instant blanket. Yes, it’s stain proof, but sorry, snacks not included. $48. The Central Park cooler/blanket is available at the new children’s store owned by mother of three Francine Delarosa, Give Wink, 2570 NE Miami Gardens Dr, Noth Miami Beach; 877-494-WINK, 305-705-3341.

Jewish Way – Winter 2010
LOUNGE AROUND
Don’t let comfort get in the way of style! Punctuate your living space with this small bean bag-meets-ottoman that functions as a footrest, extra seating space into any living space. Available in various sizes and a rainbow of colors at Wink, North Miami Beach, 305.705.3341; www.givewink.com.

AVENTURA MAGAZINE – December 2010
Aventurist: Professionally Speaking

Francine Delarosa, Owner of Give Wink, Aventura
How does Give Wink make shopping easy?

Kids’ spaces are the most fun to decorate, especially with a boutique like Give Wink. Specializing in furniture and room decor, bedding and baby gear, personalized gifts and educational toys, Give Wink offers a fun alternative to the typical toys and furniture often filling a child’s room. From infants to teens and kids in between, there is something for every kid at Give Wink. For those who want something completely unique, Give Wink offers custom furniture and bedding. Give Wink’s staff of space-planning specialists is there to ensure each customer finds the right pieces for their space and lifestyle. Shopping for a new baby can be overwhelming and there is nothing more frustrating that buying something you don’t really need. They are here to make sure you need everything you buy and buy everything you need. Give Wink believes in “Giving Back.” That’s why Delarosa founded Give a Wink, a charity that provides eye care to under privileged children for every $100 purchase made. Children receive a full eye exam and are given prescription glasses if they need them. So far Delarosa’s charity has helped over 300 children in Colombia, with hopes to expand the Give Wink charitable work from my roots in Colombia to other children across the globe. For more information call 305.705.3341 or visit givewink.com.

CRAVINGS - December 2010
SUMOKU
Educational Toy from Blue Orange, $16
Give Wink,
2510 NE Miami Gardens Drive,
North Miami Beach,
Givewink.com

CRAVINGS – October 2010
POP CULTURE PARENT
There is no need to give up your cool factor once you become a parent. Go ahead and share your love of the Beatles with your baby. The new Maclaren bright Beatles Yellow Submarine stroller is a great way to begin to teach the little one the ways of John, Paul, Ringo, and George. $280, Give Wink, 2570 NE Miami Gardens Drive, 305.793.0180, givewink.com

CRAVINGS – October 2010
GIVE WINK GIVE BACK
The night of August 7, 2010, Sidney and her friend suffer a horrible car accident at night while going home. Her car door had to be cut so she could be free and she was transported in a helicopter to the nearest hospital 2 hours from her house.
After 2 weeks in the intensive care unit, a brain surgery and several other surgical interventions, Sidney is finally with her family and showing some progress. She has lost a few years of memory and is in need of treatment of her left eye, as well as, intense physical therapy for her legs.
Unfortunately, Sidney did not have a health insurance, and this situation has placed a financial burden in her family. It could have happened to any of us.
We have formed a group called “We are with you Sidney” with Sidney’s family and friends to show our support by raising funds to help cover the medical bills of her hospital stay and the treaments for her recovery that unfortunately will add up to thousands of dollars.
Please take a moment to help us by making a donation or buying a raffle ticket, we are sure she would have done the same for you.
Thank you from us and especially from Sidney, who is very moved by your support. God bless you!

Inland Empire Family
GIVE WINK GIVES BACK
Fun, funky furniture for a cause
By Susan Belknapp
Published: April, 2010

Some of the most original, adorable children’s furniture and accessories on the market can be found at Give Wink.
The products are fun, vibrant and unique. And for every $100 spent online, the company arranges for an underprivileged child in South American to get a free eye exam and glasses.
Take a minute to browse through the shop. Here are just a sample of some of the cool, kitschy looks. In addition to great nursery and child’s room furniture, Give Wink has great new educational toys for babies and toddlers.
Check out the kids accessories, including bedding, which can be customized and personalized baby gear, making it a one-stop shop for parents. It’s also fantastic for gifts and baby showers!

CRAVINGS – December 2009
CHIC CHILDREN
Gone are the days when a dollhouse or a Justin Timberlake poster were the coveted girl’s bedroom décor. Nowadays, even the under 12 set want more style in their space. Lucky for parents, Wink, an online store with the keenest of kid appealing décor, has opened a retail boutique. Offering a variety of unique children’s and tween furniture and accessories, Wink specializes in one-of-a-kind design that your savvy spawn will flip over. Wink located at 2570 NE Miami Gardens Drive, 305.793.0180, givewink.com

AVENTURA MAGAZINE – December 2009
Give Wink
AVENTURIST HOT SHEET
Stylish new stores are in our midst, while food festivals and football fanfare are on the agenda.

TRUE VISIONARIES
Now open in North Miami Beach is Wink, a gift bedding and children’s accessory store in North Miami Beach specializing in personalized gifts, bedding and children’s home décor that initially launched as an online boutique. The store’s specialty is creating custom solutions for clients looking for a one-of-a-kind look and feel that can’t be found in big chain stores. There are eco-friendly furniture choices, a signature line of personalized travel accessories, and baby gifts galore. But perhaps the most notable thing about Wink is the store’s program to help underprivileged children in need of eye care: they’ve developed a point system, with one dollar equaling one point; every time a customer accumulates 100 points, Wink provides a child in need with a free eye exam and a pair eyeglasses. Wink, 2570 NW Miami Gardens Drive, N. Miami Beach, 305.793.0180; givewink.com.

CELEBRITY BABY BLOG
Fab Sale: 15% off at Givewink.com

GIVE WINK
This one stop, e-shop has it all! From adorable baby clothes and cool toys to personalized wall art and modern-style cribs. Givewink.com has everything you need to outfit your child and nursery. And right now, they’re offering an exclusive 15% off discount to CBB readers until January 6. Just enter WINK15 at checkout.

Added bonus: For every $100 spent, the e-boutique donates an eye exam (and glasses if needed) to an underprivileged child in South America.

Daily Candy Kids
SHOP
Wink Boutique Opens
What: The previously online-only source has unveiled a storefront.
Why: Nursery furnishings, toys, clothes, and free personalizations.
When: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 2570 NE Miami Gardens Dr., North Miami Beach (305-793-0180)

DM Gift Guide
A WINK AND A PRAYER
Up the cute factor with animal bookends. For every $100 spent, an underprivileged child in South America gets a free eye exam and glasses.
$50 | givewink.com

Haute Living
WINK FOR A GREAT CAUSE
Wink, a new North Miami Beach children’s store, is not only a great place to get fabulous toys for your tots, but the store’s charitable association with underprivileged children in South America means you’re giving to someone’s else’s children at the same time.

Wink offers educational, beautiful toys and children’s accessories and it has just recently opened its doors in North Miami Beach, But this isn’t just your run-of-the-mill toy store—far from it. With every $100 that is spent at Wink (or online at www.givewink.com) it enables an underprivileged child in South American with the opportunity to have access to a free eye exam and glasses, an opportunity some children may never experience if it weren’t for Wink and their generous customers.

Wink’s first charity-related event took place in Colombia.

So why don’t spread a bit of your holiday joy to children who are less fortunate at the same time as making your own child’s holiday special with a gift from Wink.

Interview Her
THE POLISHED BABE…
“I live with a constant guilty conscience,” says Francine Delarosa. The self-proclaimed “mompreneur” goes on to explain: When she works late hours, she feels guilty she’s not with her children. But when she’s with her children, she feels guilty that one of her customers might need assistance.
It’s easy to see how Delarosa might find her attention split between two priorities. A mom of three, Delarosa is also the busy owner of Give Wink children’s boutique, which provides home décor, toys and accessories for children of all ages—from infancy to preteen.
Give Wink began as an online store but acquired its storefront in Miami when Delarosa began to feel her online business was overtaking her personal life. And while balancing work and home is a crucial part of Delarosa’s lifestyle, guilt is probably one emotion this businesswoman should not concern herself with.
Delarosa also runs “Give A Wink,” a charity that operates hand-in-hand with her online and retail store.
When reflecting on her company, Delarosa realized her client-base was composed of those fortunate enough to afford “luxury” items, such as furniture and décor for their children’s rooms. But she couldn’t help but think of those parents who are less fortunate. There are multiple parents who struggle to provide formula and diapers for their babies, they can’t afford routine medical exams, and “luxury” items are not even an option.
All things considered, Delarosa decided to form “Give A Wink,” and for every purchase a customer makes from her Give Wink boutique (online or store-front), the store donates an eye exam to an underprivileged child in South America.
That charitable attitude and Delarosa’s family-oriented ideals are themes embedded in her business.
Delarosa says she samples new products on her own children, and seeks out toys that can be used to bring families together during playtime, such as board games. Toys that teach are the ones that attract her, rather than those that “just light up, make noise and take up space.”
But Give Wink is more than just a toy store. At Give Wink, Delarosa says a customer can take a room from completely empty to completely furnished. That means frazzled parents-to-be can find everything to outfit their new nurseries all in one place. “In essence, you come in and you don’t have to leave,” says this enthused store owner.
Perhaps one of the most defining aspects of Give Wink is the contemporary aesthetic of the design. Parents can decorate their nurseries in something other than traditional baby colors. Delarosa says that in the past, “if you were having a girl it had to be pink, if you were having a boy it had to be blue, and if you didn’t know it had to be yellow duck.”
She realized the potential market for modern baby décor, and combined her passion for design with her retail experience.
“Starting a business is always a risky undertaking,” Delarosa says. She says the keys to a successful business are to start slowly, have passion, and hopefully have a solid support system.

NBCMiami.com
GIVE A LITTLE WINK
Newly opened children’s boutique Wink is taking its namesake to heart. Earlier this month, the specialized store hosted an event in Barranquilla, Colombia, which benefited 300 underprivileged children by providing free eye exams and eyeglasses. Based off its success, Wink expanded its efforts stateside and is donating the same services to children in need with every $100 sale made at the store. And with adorable merchandise like educational toys, bedding, children’s home décor and personalized travel accessories, the future looks bright.