GIVE THE WORLD A GIFT THIS HOLIDAY

GIVE THE WORLD A GIFT THIS HOLIDAY

50 Unexpected Gifts that Do Good

Oxfam

From Ben Cable, Cable Muse Network (CMN)

November 18, 2008 (CMN) – This holiday give a unique, lasting and life sustaining gift. Feeling sheepish about giving another useless gift? Oxfam America offers unexpected ways to get exactly what someone needs and make a difference in the fight against poverty. Pick from more than 50 gifts, such as a sheep, water jugs, a bicycle, or a goat. Here's how it works: You choose the gift. Your friend or loved one receives a card. Your gift helps someone in need.

You can snap up more than 50 unexpected gifts that do good. Make the world a greener place by planting 100 trees or giving a can of worms. Choose from life-sustaining animals: a goat, a dozen baby chicks, a pair of oxen, or a donkey. These and other essential items, such as emergency toilets, school uniforms, and water purifiers make a real difference to communities in need.

Oxfam America announced the third-year expansion of its online alternative gift catalog, OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com. Proceeds from these symbolic gifts go to fund Oxfam America’s efforts to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice in more than 120 countries.

“Unwrapped’s gifts reflect the real work that Oxfam America does around the world to promote ways to make a living, provide emergency relief, and improve nutrition,” said Stephanie Kurzina, vice president of fundraising for Oxfam America. “Whether it’s an environmental champion or a well-meaning couch potato in your life, a gift from Unwrapped is a great way to support our work in poor countries.”

Oxfam Good Student of Our Planet (CableMuse.com)

Oxfam Ambassador and “Sex in the City” star Kristin Davis has traveled to Southern and Eastern Africa with Oxfam to see programs and to hear directly from people living in poverty. “If you want to give a present that actually helps people, Oxfam America Unwrapped is for you,” said Kristin. “Giving through Unwrapped creates a powerful connection between you, the friend you gift, and the person at the end of the line who truly benefits.”

Kristin Davis is among a list of Hollywood celebrities which have endorsed the great work of Oxfam. She appeared last year on the “Rachael Ray Show” with a donkey and talked about how they make women safer and more independent in war zones like Darfur. This week, Kate Walsh was on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” announcing her support of Oxfam as well as flaunting her fabulous “Pin Up” image for famed photographer Timothy White’s book “Hollywood Pin Ups”. The book proceeds will be donated to Oxfam by White.

Here’s how it works: shoppers choose the gift and personalize a card online, their friend or loved one receives a card in the mail, and the gift helps someone in need. All gift contributions are general donations to Oxfam America and are fully tax deductible, and the online catalog makes it particularly convenient for last-minute holiday giving.

Click on OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com to view all items available in the catalog.