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Socially Conscious Retailer Teams Up with Celebrity Shutterbug Mike Ruiz for a Stunning Collection that Benefits Pit Bulls and LGBTQ Causes 

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Social Impak, the online retailer that specializes in quality products with messages aimed at making our world a better place — the sister organization of Global Impak that backs political and LGBTQ issues —  has announced  the launch of its new summer collection curated and designed by Mike Ruiz. The celebrity photographer, reality TV staple, and philanthropist, and who is currently featured on the cover of Out Magazine, is comprised of tees, tanks, posters, pillows and mugs, all emblazoned with some of Mike Ruiz’s most iconic photos and imagery. Says Ruiz, “they are unique items that people will love to wear or showcase in their home.”

Out said of Ruiz, “As if all of that wasn’t keeping him busy enough, Ruiz has turned his attention to helping pit bulls, with his annual benefit calendar, Bullies & Biceps, featuring top fitness models (many of whom are pit bull owners themselves) and gorgeous canines that need rescuing.”

Photo above: Mike Ruiz

25% of all profits will be distributed to his two favorite causes: The Stand Up for Pits Foundation and the Ali Forney Center.

“Mike is a dear friend of mine,” says Social Impak founder Scott Bailey in a statement. “We have worked together for more than ten years, travelling the world in support of animal and LGBTQ causes. He was my first call when I had the idea to launch Social Impak and he was 100% supportive of coming on board as the first celebrity ambassador.”

Photo above: Mike Ruiz

Both Social Impak and Global Impak, the online retailer, were created by Bailey. Both websites share similar goals. They work directly with charitable organizations and help them to raise money for their groups. However, where Global Impak focuses on environmental issues such as wildlife rescue and climate change, Social Impak concentrates on social, political and LGBTQ issues.

“Strong political statements and humor are often required to make an impact socially, so it was important that we set up a different arm that allowed more freedom to be funnier and even slightly risqué at times,” Scott Bailey explains.

For most of his life, Scott Bailey has been politically and socially active. At 19, he arrived home to Michigan from Kenya with a mission of working in wildlife conservation but his activism had to take a back seat when his start-up business took off and he found himself designing and hosting the websites of very high-profile clients including the ruler of Dubai and the royal family of Jordan.

He did manage to sneak in projects on the side, creating free websites for Biglife.org, a wildlife charity, HIV Equal, NOH8 and other organizations fighting for causes he believed in. As he grew older and the state of the world grew worse, he felt the need to do more.

“Now, more than ever, it’s important that we take a step back and realize that our actions have consequences,” he says. “We need to be more respectful of the environment and the animals we share this planet with.”

Among his favorite Global Impak partners are WildAid, the Dian Fossey Foundation and Big Life Foundation, an organization that works to protect elephants in East Africa.

“This is also a time to be more kind to each other,” he continues. “We humans come in many shapes, sizes, and orientations. So many things join us while only man-made borders divide us. It’s important that we celebrate our differences and all that makes us unique.”

Among his favorite Social Impak charities is Sage USA, an organization that works with LGBTQ Seniors.

With their unique product offerings, both Global Impak and Social Impak are working hard to appeal to socially savvy consumers who appreciate that their purchases go to help causes they believe in. As Scott Bailey sums it up, “Together we can do great things.”

The Mike Ruiz Collection is now available exclusively here.

All photos courtesy of Social Impak.

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