ALTERNATIVE GIVING:  THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

How about something different? Alternative catalogues list gifts that you can give in someone else‘s name or request in your own that benefit others who really need the help. Examples:

The Heifer Project offers the gift of animals that help to make third-world families self-sufficient (www.heifer.org or 800-422-0755).

Save the Children Fund helps to provide survival, health, education and enterpr

World Vision offers all kinds of help to empower the world‘s poor (www.worldvisiongifts.org or 888-511-6511).

Food for the Poor provides homes, food, animals and clothing to the poor in the Caribbean.
   (www.foodforthepoor.org or 800-427-9104).

Work of Human Hands is the branch of Catholic Relief Services that offers gifts for sale that are made in third world countries that you can give to loved ones (www.crsfairtrade.org or 800-685-7572).

Oxfam offers the opportunity to buy trees, a well, a tent, blankets, emergency rescue equipment for third world countries and people (www.oxfamamericanunwrapped.com or 800-850-7608).

If you would like to see one of these catalogues, please see the magazine rack in the narthex or visit the agency website.