World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Working in nearly 100 countries around the world, World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
I know that for me during this busy holiday season I sometimes forget to stop and think about the true spirit of Christmas and gift giving. It means helping others that could really use it. Many Americans will make a charitable contribution around this time of year. I hope to teach my daughters over the coming years the importance of helping out and that even the little things we do really do count.
It can be difficult to navigate the many different charities out there. World Vision is a charity that really helps out where there is the most need, to help children and families in struggling communities around the world.
This upcoming holiday season, shoppers can reinvent gift lists and join the cause by choosing meaningful, life-changing gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalog. These alternative gift ideas, from goats and chickens to life-saving medicines, honor the recipient and create a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog offers a wide variety of items to match the hobby or interest of the recipient. For example, a gardener may like hybrid or drought-resistant seeds for a farmer while a sports enthusiast could get a kick out of four soccer balls donated to a school.
For the fourth consecutive year, World Vision staff will also be traveling around the world to get a look inside the lives of families impacted by the Gift Catalog through the ?The True Spirit of Christmas? tour. The tour demonstrates the impact animals and other gifts have on families and children.The video below is a true-life example of the love and hope these gifts bring to families. The video shares the story of a family in Sri Lanka whose life has been improved by the gift of chickens.
Since the Gift Catalog was introduced in 1996, its popularity as a gift-giving medium has continually grown and is projected to reach more than $33.5 million in purchases made last fiscal year which impacted more than 800,000 people around the world. In fiscal year 2013, World Vision hopes to reach the $35 million mark. After purchasing a Gift Catalog item, the person whose name the gift was given in can receive a special card describing the gift and its impact. Donors can also receive free handmade gifts such as ornaments from Nairobi and jewelry from Thailand with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund.
- Serving Spoons ($65): For
a cash donation, the gift giver receives an elegant set of two
hand-carved wooden serving spoons made to benefit over 200 orphans of
the Kamba tribe in Kenya. - Artisan Multi-Colored Necklace ($100):
For $100 the donor receives an artisan multi-colored, glass beaded
necklace. This unique, colorful, lariat strand helps fight human
trafficking and
can be worn as a long or short necklace, bracelet or even as a belt. - Goat ($75):
One of the most popular gifts because its milk provides protein for
children and the surplus can be sold for additional income to purchase
medicines and other necessities.
Plus, fertilizer from goats can increase the amount of vegetables grown
in a family garden. - Family Food Kit ($16):
Includes nutritious meals like oatmeal, lentil soup or pasta, and a
bean and rice casserole to feed a family in the U.S. who has been struck
by disaster, homelessness
or job loss.
They even have gift giving ideas to help kids get into the charitable spirit.
Help where it’s needed most … AND get a gift for yourself or someone
you care about! With your gift of $25 or more to our Maximum Impact Fund
? which provides for the unique needs of children and families
worldwide ? you?ll receive Gertie the Plush Goat, available exclusively
through World Vision. Gertie will be a delightful memento for your loved
one of the hope you?ve given in his or her name. At your request, the
plush toy will arrive with a beautiful card explaining the impact of the
donation.
So with the hustle
and bustle of the Christmas Season upon us think about giving a gift to
help those in the most need around the world. I personally think that the gift of a goat is a
great one as it can help a family all year long. Or chose a gift to give where you get something in return like that cute goat plush or one of their necklaces that look absolutely gorgeous. Then when people compliment you on your necklace you can share about World Vision and how they are helping families across the world.
Connect:
You can connect with World Vision USA on Facebook and/or @WorldVisionUSA on Twitter.
Gift It! To order from World Vision’s Gift Catalog, visit
www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog,
call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.
