UNICEF: Calgary residents showed generosity buying 2,345 Survival Gifts for children, totalling more than $209,000

CALGARY, Dec. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - In a year of unprecedented humanitarian crises with children affected by conflict and health emergencies from West Africa to the Middle East, this holiday season UNICEF is calling on Calgary residents to continue their generous support of children through the organization's Survival Gifts program. Last year, Calgary residents purchased 2,345 life-changing gifts, totaling $209,285 to help vulnerable children, with the most popular gift among Calgarians being a Local Water Pump.   

"The warm hearts and generosity of Calgarians has made a significant difference in the lives of children around the world. We're so grateful for the opportunity to provide people with unique and life-saving options for gifts," says Sharon Avery, UNICEF Canada's Chief Development Officer. "Calgary continues to be a vital supporter of children around the world with every purchase of gifts like Plumpy'Nut, bed nets and school supplies."

"It's wonderful to hear from families that sit down with their children and choose education gifts like school books and supplies to give to teachers and mosquito nets or immunizations to give to a family member who works in health care. It's a great way to teach children about generosity and talk with them about how children live in other parts of the world, while changing the lives of children in need," says Avery. 

In Alberta, residents sent 4,925 Survival Gifts to children in need in 2013, totaling $302,580. And, overall Canadians sent 41,922 gifts, valued at more than $1.8 million, to vulnerable children across the globe.

Most popular gifts with Calgary residents:

1. Local Water Pump – Each gift includes a water pump for a community and the training on how to maintain the pump. Having a water pump in local communities means girls who typically can't attend school because they must walk great distances to collect water for their families will now be able to go to school. In 2013, Calgary residents purchased 254 local water pumps at $525 each, allowing 762,000 children to access clean, safe water. In 2014, all water pump purchases will be matched by Newalta, doubling the number of children reached with clean water.
2. Plumpy'Nut – These peanut-based, therapeutic food packs boost a malnourished child's chance of survival. Calgary residents purchased 122 orders of Plumpy'Nut in 2013. Each order is $10 and includes 21 packages of Plumpy'Nut, enough to help save the lives of seven children. This year Maple Leaf Foods is matching every gift of Plumpy'Nut donated by Canadians to save twice as many lives. 
3. Soccer Balls – At $14, each purchase provides two soccer balls to help children in developing countries. Calgarians purchased 101, which provided 202 soccer balls for children. Gifts of sport teach teamwork and help heal the effects of trauma.  

Statistics and gifts that help—for the health care worker on your list:
Malnutrition: 50 per cent of childhood deaths under age five are caused by malnutrition

• 21 packets of Plumpy'Nut treats seven children with acute malnutrition ($10)
• A Baby Scale helps 150 babies by preventing malnutrition before it starts ($38)

Malaria: In 2013 alone, malaria killed 450,000 children under the age of five

• 10 Bed Nets help protect 20 children from deadly mosquito bites ($45)
• 113 Anti-Malaria Tablets help 19 children avoid the deadly disease ($11)

Water: 1,600 children die every day from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation

• Water Purification Tablets (2,857 tablets per purchase) will help 39 people ($19)
• A Local Water Pump for a community will help 3,000 people access clean water ($525)

Statistics and gifts that help—for the teacher or student on your list:
Education: 57 million children are not in school, reducing their chances of health and success

• Send a Child to School pays for education and supplies for one child ($80)
• A Literacy Pack with 14 exercise books, 28 pencils and five story books ($42)

Statistics and gifts that help—for the global citizen and activist on your list:
Birth Registration: One in three births is not registered, robbing children of health care, education and protection and putting them at risk of child labour and trafficking

• Birth Registration for 44 children ($30)

Child Marriage: More than 700 women alive today were married as children and girls remain at great risk

• The End Child Marriage gift funds community advocacy and improved education for girls ($100)

Child Soldiers: An estimated 300,000 children are engaged in armed conflict around the world

• Rehabilitate a Child Soldier gift provides social reintegration programs including education, vocational training and psychosocial counseling for a former child soldier ($94)

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About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.

Image with caption: "Plumpy’Nut packs are peanut-based, therapeutic food packs that boost a malnourished child’s chance of survival. Each $10 order includes 21 packages of Plumpy’Nut, enough to help save seven children. Maple Leaf Foods is matching every gift of Plumpy’Nut donated by Canadians. (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141209_C5581_PHOTO_EN_9195.jpg

SOURCE: UNICEF Canada

To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Tiffany Baggetta, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8892, 647-308-4806 (mobile), [email protected]