Give a holiday gift truly worth giving

TORONTO, Oct. 22 /CNW/ - Operation Eyesight Universal's Gift Guide offers an easy and effective way to remember those on your holiday shopping list by giving something truly extraordinary - the gift of sight.

Choose from a wide variety of life-altering gifts for everyone on your list.  For example:

• Train an eye care worker in Africa - giving him or her the ability to prevent eye care problems within their community.
• Provide eyeglasses to children - giving them a chance to learn to read and write.
• Empower a woman with microskills training - giving her the ability to earn her own income and lift her family out of poverty.
• Distribute antibiotics to stop eye infections - giving people in sub-Saharan Africa sight-saving medication to prevent the spread of disease.
• Build a latrine for one family - giving a sub-Saharan African family a more sanitary living environment which will help to stop trachoma.

Each of our tax-deductible gifts is available for purchase online and will be sent to the recipient in the form of an attractive card, personalized with the name of the recipient and the purchaser.

All cards will include a colourful gift tag that describes the gift and how it will change lives.  Each time the recipient sees the tag - attached to their fridge or hanging as an ornament - they will be reminded of what the gift of sight can do.

In the developing world, restoring sight means restoring life.  By treating blindness in the world's poor, Operation Eyesight gives men, women and children the opportunity to work, look after their families and go to school.  The good news is that 80 per cent of blindness is treatable or preventable. You can make a difference by donating or ordering Operation Eyesight gifts online at www.operationeyesight.com, or by calling toll free 1-800-585-8265, ext. 1.

"Canadians are looking for a simple yet meaningful way that they can give to others who have so much less in our world. Our Gift Guide has a collection of gifts that will help you make a lasting impact," says President and CEO Pat Ferguson.

Operation Eyesight is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness in the developing world. We work with medical professionals and communities in Africa and India to help provide quality eye care programs and sustainable community development. Since 1963, through the support of our donors, 35 million of the world's poorest people have had their sight restored or protected. To learn more about our work, visit www.operationeyesight.com.

Interviews on the Gift Guide are available with Operation Eyesight representatives upon request.

For further information:

Lindsay O'Connor, Head of International Media
[email protected]
Toll Free: 1-800-585-8265, ext. 3
Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]

Pat Ferguson, President and CEO
[email protected]
Toll Free: 1-800-585-8265, ext. 1
Office: [phone]