Heifer International

Well, it's "Black Friday" and the holiday season is upon us. A lot of people are hoping the economy will come out of it's funk and people will get out and shop. A company rep who used to call on me in my photo shop once said "Christmas is God's gift to retail." So much money is spent in the days between Thanksgiving and New Years. A lot of the buying is folks purchasing things that they would have bought anyway, but some of it is just frantic buying, looking for gifts for people who don't really need anything. If you have a "man (or woman) who has everything" on your shopping list consider making a purchase from, or a donation to, a cause that will help out the "man (or woman) who has nothing." Many businesses are struggling with economic downturn, so go out and buy what you need, but don't forget the charities who have also been hit by hard times. There are lots of places that sell gifts and donate all or part of the proceeds to charity. For those people who have everything you can make a donation to a cause in their name. One place we have given to over the years is Heifer International, a charity that has been around since 1944. Their philosophy is it is better to teach a man how to fish than it is to give him a fish. You can donate various amounts that can go toward the purchase of anything from a flock of chickens for an African family to a llama for a Peruvian weaver. They in turn are required to pass on the gift by donating the first offspring to a neighbor in need (viral charity!). Your gift recipient gets a nice card and you both get that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you do something nice for someone you don't know.

"This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Since 1944, Heifer has helped 8.5 million people in more than 125 countries."

Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR/USA 72202
Tel.: (800) 422-0474

Happy Holidays from the Homegrown String Band