Guest Blogger: Cheryl Koch
I love this time of year! Spending time with family and friends, eating, shopping, decorating are awesome but the best part is the way our hearts change during the holiday season. We become more compassionate about everything and everyone. Its really the way our hearts should be all year round. In this season of giving we have had several people ask about ways to give gifts that give more and here it is; a list of organizations both local and global that make a profound impact and resounding differences in the lives of others. www.rosaloves.com This is one of my favorites. A graphic design is created for a t-shirt to be sold to raise money for a specific cause. They assign a goal to be reached for each shirt. Once the goal is reached the shirt is discontinued. www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com Would you like to buy someone a sheep for Christmas? A can of worms or how about irrigate a farmers field for a month? www.charitywater.org Purchase water bottles, hats and wrist bands to give year round. 100% of all proceeds go directly to build wells! www.invisiblechildren.com Various items of clothing and wristbands to support the awareness of the crisis in Uganda. The abduction of children have slowed due to the work of Invisible Children. www.worldofgood.ebay.com A market of artisans from around the world. They feature fair trade products as well as eco-friendly items. www.appreciate.org They are a gifting firm for corporate, weddings and other events to benefit homeless youth here in America. www.hotbreadkitchen.org Is an online bakery that helps immigrant women build business here in America while preserving their baking traditions. www.anysoldier.com We still have soldiers in harms way! When the war doesn't make the news some tend to forget. This web site makes it easy to help meet the needs of those serving. www.agreatergift.com The greatest gift site ever. You can find anything here. www.heifer.org Heifer International works to fight global hunger through unique giving opportunities. www.changingthepresent.org Gifts with a global purpose. www.donorschoose.org Teachers across the country ask for items they need in their classroom and you can provide it. You can even choose your state. www.markmakers.org THE BEST GIFT FOR A CHILD EVER!!!!! A site devoted to teaching kids how to make a difference across the globe. You purchase a gift card for someone and they come to this site to spend their card amount how they want. A great interactive site for kids. They can allocate their funds to help in amazing ways. www.worldnextdoormarket.com This is a local business located on Market across from the Aquarium. They are completely fair trade. A local business for global change. They have a wide variety of gifts in their awesome store. I personally shop here for everything! They have the best nativities ever. They are from every continent! They also have great prices. www.habichatt.org The local Habitat for Humanity has a store where you can purchase many home improvement items and all proceeds go towards building homes. Their store is located at 1201 East Main St. Its called the ReStore. Salvation Army Thrift Store! 800 McCallie Avenue Americas Thrift Store! Lee Highway here in Chattanooga. This store helps Teen Challenge. Please visit these local stores and web sites! Reading the backgrounds from the web sites alone will raise your awareness of needs around the world. Knowledge is key to help us make better decisions about the gifts we give. May we all be more compassionate shoppers. With Great Joy, Cheryl Koch
