Celebrating the generosity of Calgarians with World Vision

CALGARY, Dec. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - Yesterday, community members in Eau Claire Market and the Neighbourlink network celebrated the generosity of Calgarians at Christmas, with furry friends and songs with Santa. The party acknowledges the significant difference that Calgarians make to their communities locally and overseas through the World Vision Gift Catalogue.

It was a fun morning for families at Eau Claire Market, where they had the opportunity to meet animals just like the ones they can give from the catalogue, sip hot chocolate and munch on Christmas cookies. They even got to sing some jolly holiday songs with Santa himself.

Quotes:

"We're having a great time saying thank you to Calgary for their generosity over the holiday season." says World Vision Gifts spokesperson Tanya McCormack. "Calgarians have really embraced the spirit of giving and are making a difference in the lives of many Canadians and families around the world, through presents given through the World Vision Gift Catalogue."

Quick Facts:

• This fall, World Vision Gift Catalogue supporters contributed $50,000 toward providing low-income Calgary children with backpacks and essential back-to-school supplies —particularly those struggling as a result of the flood.
• Almost 3,000 Calgarians gave over $600,000 worth of World Vision Gifts to children and communities in Canada and around the world
• Almost 10,000 Albertans gave more than $2 million in real items from the World Vision Gift Catalogue

Background information:

Featuring gifts that help people in countries around the world, The World Vision Gift Catalogue - Canada's largest source of alternative gifts -has charitable gift options that help Canadians and overseas communities overcome poverty. These presents are the perfect meaningful gift for someone on your holiday list, and provide lasting hope and opportunity for children, families and communities. Find out more at www.worldvision.ca/gifts

World Vision supports a network of 85 grassroots community partners across Canada including Neighbourlink Calgary. Overall this network of partners benefits more than 65,000 Canadian children living in poverty.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

Video with caption: "Calgarians can give life-changing gifts through The World Vision Gift Catalogue". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20131211_C9761_VIDEO_EN_34877.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20131211_C9761_PHOTO_EN_34877.jpg&clientName=World%20Vision%20Canada&caption=Calgarians%20can%20give%20life%2Dchanging%20gifts%20through%20The%20World%20Vision%20Gift%20Catalogue&title=WORLD%20VISION%20CANADA%20%2D%20Celebrating%20the%20generosity%20of%20Calgarians%20with%20World%20Vision&headline=Celebrating%20the%20generosity%20of%20Calgarians%20with%20World%20Vision

Image with caption: "Santa leads a holiday sing-along at the World Vision Gifts celebration with Neighbourlink Calgary (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131211_C9761_PHOTO_EN_34875.jpg

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

Angel Cheng, 905-565-6200 ext. 3364, [email protected]
Genevieve Barber, 416-671-0086, [email protected]