World Vision Gift Catalog Review & Giveaway

I have always tried to instill good values in my children, and teach them life lessons that will serve them well. One thing we have been consistent on is teaching them to be charitable. Our family is very fortunate to not have to want for anything. We have food, clothing and shelter, and means to purchase a few extras from time to time. Unfortunately, we know there are millions of people in the world who don’t even have access to the basic necessities, and they end up struggling just to get by from day to day. While we encourage our children to give year round, we are coming upon the season where charity is thought about and given more freely than any other time of the year. Each year, not only do we buy for our loved ones, we make it a point to buy gifts for those less fortunate than us. When we wake up on Christmas morning, we always give a little thought to the people who received our gifts, and hope they are enjoying them as much as we enjoyed giving them. Usually the gifts are distributed to residents of our community, but how cool would it be to help those in need on a more global scale? World Vision is helping people do just that!

What is World Vision?

A Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. Through their gift catalog, World Vision helps those in need better the lives of children, adults, and communities in the U.S. and around the world in all different areas of need, by providing means to clean water, food, education, help for sexual exploitation, and job training. In operation since 1996, the 2013 season marks the 18th annual gift catalog.

The gift catalog offers more than 100 meaningful gifts, like live animals, clean water, clothing, medicine, education, and more. Last year more than 350,000 live animals were distributed to those in need. Goats are usually the most popular gift choice, and more than 67,000 of them were gifted last year alone! Imagine gifting a goat to a family, who in turn will use it for milk, cheese, and eggs. It really is a gift that keeps giving!

Not all of the gifts offered on World Vision are donation only. You can purchase tangible, hand made, Maximum Impact items to gift to your loved ones this holiday that will still help benefit those in need. You’ll find beautiful, handcrafted items like these earring and bracelet set:

  Cinnamon Box Set

 

or even this cute plush goat!

Gertie the Goat Plush is super adorable, soft and cuddly. Measuring in at 3” x 5”, I think she would make the perfect baby gift! Though, my 9 year old has claimed my Gertie Goat for herself! Gertie’s  donation is $25 or more, and at your request, will come with a certificate explaining the impact of your donation.

 

Through these World Vision donations, over 800,000 people in the U.S. and around the world were helped through the gift catalog last year. World Vision provides assistance to more than 100 countries, providing hope around the world.

Tuesday, December 3rd is Giving Tuesday. If you are planning a charitable donation on that day, please consider World Vision, and provide a mosquito net, fish pond, or education to someone in need. You don’t have to spend a lot to make a huge difference. You will find more than 30 gifts for under $35 that would make a huge impact on those that will benefit from your donation, and your donation is tax deductible!

If you would like to learn more about the gift catalog, visit World Vision on their Website, where you can make a direct donation. Or, if you prefer, you can request a print copy mailed directly to you by calling toll free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT!

One lucky Theresa’s Mixed Nuts reader is going to win a Gertie the Goat plush toy from World Vision. The giveaway is open to residents of the US, 18+ (No PO Boxes will be accepted), and will run through 11/8. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email, or a new winner will be selected. Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure- I received the above mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was provided. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.