This year, give a gift they'll never forget… a toilet.

CALGARY, Dec. 7 /CNW/ - The holiday season is fast approaching. Are you on the lookout for unique gift ideas, especially ones that make a difference? Look no further than gifts from Operation Eyesight.

For the people in your life who have everything, give them something out of the ordinary. A toilet can be a beautiful thing, especially for those who've never had one. Imagine someone's surprise and delight when they learn that this gift, given in their name, will change the life of an African family. It's true!

A VIP (ventilated improved pit) latrine is specially designed to suppress the flies that spread disease. When placed in villages in remote African communities, these latrines help stop trachoma, a terrible disease that can lead to permanent blindness. For only $65 per latrine, you can reduce the number of fly breeding sites and help a community escape the cycle of eye disease.

Operation Eyesight has a wide variety of other life-altering gifts for everyone on your list. When you order your gifts, we'll send each recipient a colourful greeting card, personalized with your message. Each card contains a special tag describing the gift you have selected.

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.

"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.

The good news is that 80 percent 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.

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.

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For further information:

Lynne Dulaney, Director of Communications
[email protected]
Toll Free: 1-800-585-8265, ext. 1
Office: [phone]