It's an annual quandary. What do I get for the person who has everything? This year, don't turn to the
standard popcorn tin or bottle of bubble bath. Instead of getting grandma one more picture frame, why not
pay for a child's inoculation in her name?
Your money can purchase food, plant trees or teach kids to read.
Most organizations will mail a gift card to recipients notifying them of gifts you have purchased in their name. To top it off, many donations
are tax-deductible.
For charitable gifts ideas, explore these
sources:
- Alternative Gifts International
Choose from categories like Child Survival
and Medical Assistance. A
lifetime of clean water for one person in Burundi costs $38. One night of
shelter for a person in the United States costs only $15.
- Heifer Project International
Founded on the idea of giving families a source of food rather than
short-term relief, the Heifer Project has been supplying people around the
globe with sustainable food sources for decades. In addition, each family
who receives an animal passes on the first female offspring to another
family, so the giving continues! Purchase
heifers,
sheep,
chicks,
ducks,
geese and more.
- Habitat for Humanity
This well-known organization's Gifts from the Heart program honors the gift
recipient while helping to build homes for families. Pay $10 for a floor joist, $40 for five gallons of
paint or $250 for 50 bundles of roof shingles.
- Seva Foundation
Give the gift of service. Earmark your donation to their projects in
Guatemala or Chiapas, or donate to the general fund.
- World Vision Gifts
Select from 37 gifts. For $75, provide a goat to children in Haiti and Kenya.
Give assistance to a girl rescued from sex trade for $35.
Stores that Give
Sites like iGive.com
donate a percentage of your purchase to charity. Many
major retailers participate, such as Amazon.com, Martha Stewart and
KB Kids. If you were going to shop at
Barnes & Noble anyway,
why not benefit a charity in the process?
If you're still not convinced that charitable giving is a viable option, read this article from
Conscious Choice, which details all the great reasons for doing good.
--- S. Twetten
View more articles, lists, questions or trivia.
| |
|