MEDIA ADVISORY: TOP FIVE GIFTS OF HOPE, IDEAL LAST MINUTE GIFTS

TORONTO, Dec. 14 /CNW/ - As the holidays near, consider giving an ethical gift and help make a difference in the lives of children around the world. Plan Canada's Gifts of Hope campaign allows Canadians to purchase gifts right through the holidays, and when purchases are made online, recipients get an e-card right away making it an easy last-minute gift for those shoppers looking to avoid the crowded malls this holiday season.

TOP 5 GIFTS OF HOPE FOR 2010

(1)	Goat ($75) - Help a family in Pakistan rebuild their lives following the devastating flood.
(2)	Mango Tree ($12) - Help feed children while teaching them about agriculture and the environment.
(3)	Art and Play Therapy in Haiti ($25) - Give the children in Haiti the tools they need to help express themselves when words aren't enough.
(4)	Home Birthing Kits ($25) - Provide birthing attendants with the practical tools to make any environment safer for bringing a baby into the world.
(5)	Zambulance ($150) - Purchase an ambulance (a bike and cart combination) that will be used in Zambia to help villagers get to a local health clinic.

Choosing an ethical gift over a traditional one this holiday season is easy. Gifts of Hope can be purchased over the phone at 1-800-387-1418 or online at plancanada.ca/gifts. Recipients will receive an electronic greeting card letting them know about their personal gift and a tax receipt is issued to the giver.

Go to plancanada.ca/gifts to learn more about all the gifts this year and to learn more about the growing popularity of ethical gift giving, click here to see the results from Plan Canada's inaugural Ethical Gift Giving survey.

**Plan Canada spokespersons are available for interviews upon request

About Plan Canada

Plan is a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries. Founded in 1937, Plan is now one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. For more information, visit plancanada.ca

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information:

Media Contacts:

Kristy Payne,Plan Canada,416-920-1654 ext 211,[email protected]
Ashley Curran,Veritas Communications,416-847-2305,[email protected]