Plan Canada's Gifts of Hope support real projects that change real lives
CANADA, Nov. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - It's that time of year again when we struggle to find unique holiday gift ideas for everyone on our shopping lists. Giving a charitable gift through Plan Canada's Gifts of Hope is a great way to give back during the holidays and help a family or community in need.
Gifts of Hope support real projects that change lives in developing countries. Whether it is clean water for a family, a mango tree for a classroom to teach children gardening skills, or a goat that will provide milk, nourishment, and a source of income for a family, these gifts are perfect for anyone on your list: teachers, coworkers, friends and family, and even party hosts. The Plan Canada Gifts of Hope catalogue offers an assortment of more than 40 items for all budgets and includes choices for all faiths and cultures during the holiday season. They are also a great way to engage young children and friends in global issues and challenges, while also giving them an opportunity to make a difference.
"The Gifts of Hope program touches the lives of thousands of children and families in developing countries," said Paula Roberts, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Development for Plan Canada. "It's also a fun way for Canadians to give gifts that will provide communities with the tools and support they need to create real and lasting change in their lives."
But, how do you wrap a goat or a mango tree?
When you purchase Plan Canada Gifts of Hope, you can also select a personalized gift card for the person you are honouring that includes a photo and description of the gift. Here are some additional ways to 'wrap a goat' and add some fun to this gift-giving idea:
Goat ($75)
What you're really giving: A goat provides milk for a family: protein, nourishment and health. Just imagine what a herd could do for a community! This gift provides the possibility of a livelihood, an income and the ability to make choices about the future.
How to wrap it: Pair the gift card with luxurious goat's milk soap and cream, or for the foodie on your list, a goat's cheese, a cheese board and cheese knives. Alternatively, the Herd of goats ($775) Gifts of Hope makes a fantastic group or office gift.
Newborn check-up ($12)
What you're really giving: This gift supports the important work of community health workers who visit moms and their newborn babies within the first three days of the baby's birth - a critical time. The visit helps to ensure the baby is thriving and growing, and the mother is healthy and recovering well from delivery. In communities where health care centres are difficult to access and newborn mortality rates are far too high, this gift saves lives.
How to wrap it: A great gift for new parents - the gift card can be paired with a baby bottle, receiving blanket, onesie or a bib. You could also present the Gifts of Hope Birth certificate ($25) the same way.
Mango tree ($15)
What you're really giving: When mango trees are planted as a key element in school garden programs, children learn useful gardening and agricultural skills while caring for them. Their juicy and nutritious fruit is shared among the students as an incentive to come to school. Picture lush mango trees growing in schoolyards and allowing children to focus on their studies instead of their hunger.
How to wrap it: Pair the gift card with a mason jar filled with tasty dried mangoes and top with festive holiday fabric. You could also give a jar of mango jam or chutney.
Classroom essentials for one child ($17)
What you're really giving: It may be called a classroom, but without the essentials that make learning possible, it is just a room. Help stock it with chalkboards, maps, desks, chairs, textbooks, pencils and paper.
How to wrap it: Tuck the gift card into a journal with pens and pencils or with a great new book. You could also use this gift-giving idea for the Gifts of Hope Library in a box gift ($60) or Classroom essentials for a whole class ($250), which is a great group gift.
Beekeeping kit ($55)
What you're really giving: This is the gift of an instant livelihood. With the training and tools that this gift provides, beekeeping can quickly be turned into a flourishing family business that generates income and the ability to pay for such things as food, housing and health care.
How to wrap it: Give this gift with a jar of honey, beeswax candles or beeswax beauty products.
Clean water for a family ($75)
What you're really giving: For parents, this gift brings peace of mind that their family will have clean water to drink that won't make anyone sick. For daughters, it means a day at school instead of an arduous journey to fetch water for their families. For all children, it means quenching their thirst.
How to wrap it: Give this gift with a reusable water bottle that can be used all year round. Alternatively, have the whole family pitch in and consider giving either a Well for a class ($175), or Rainwater harvesting tanks ($500) as a group gift.
Also available through the Gifts of Hope program are Gifts of Hope Giveables - tangible items like silver earrings or a cuddly, stuffed goat that you can give to your loved ones during the holidays. The money from the Giveables will go toward a general Gifts of Hope fund which will help to support children and families. They literally are gifts that give twice!
Gifts of Hope can be easily purchased over the phone at 1-800-387-1418 or online at plangifts.com . This year, anyone who purchases a Gift of Hope will be automatically entered to win a trip to Tanzania in the fall of 2013 to see first-hand the changes their gifts are making. One entry per person; contest runs until December 31, 2012.
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.
SOURCE: Plan Canada
For Media: To view high resolution images of these "gift pairings" visit http://bit.ly/PlanCanadaGOH12
For more information on Gifts of Hope or to speak with a Plan Canada spokesperson please contact:
Angie Torres
Plan Canada
416.920.1654 ext. 244
[email protected]
Abigail Brown
Plan Canada
647-971-3764
[email protected]
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