Gift Guide: The Giving Issue

The Giving Guide

by Joya Logue, posted on January 21st, 2010 in The Giving Issue

Lucas Selvester (8) with the family's HPI heifer. Getenga Village, Tarime District, Mara Region. HPI Tanzania

What does giving teach us? It teaches kindness, sharing, compassion, community, awareness and humanity. Teaching our children to give back may be the greatest lesson we can give them. Here is a list of some of my favorite charities:

Heifer Project International
Support self-reliance by purchasing an animal for a family in need. One goat can provide milk for an entire family.

KIVA
As an entrepreneur myself, my husband and I regularly support other entrepreneurs in developing countries become more self-sufficient and provide for their families. Loans as small as $10 can kick start a business for someone.

UNICEF
Beyond the mission it stands for and the work it does, UNICEF offers great resources for teachers and
students to get involved.

The FEED Foundation
It’s simple as purchasing a reusable bag (good for environment too) at Whole Foods to teach your child
about charity. Each FEED 100 bag will provide 100 school meals to hungry children in Rwanda through the UN World Food Program. That’s a great visual kids will understand.

Asha For Education
Asha, meaning hope, is a charity that aids in providing education for underprivileged children in India. There are local chapters in the U.S. and around the world. The power to end poverty is in education.

Feeding America’s Hungry Children
Because there are impoverished children close to home.

The Elephant Sanctuary
Provides a natural habitat for endangered African and Asian elephants. Read about each elephant’s story and watch video footage from the sanctuary.

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
Purchase holiday cards with illustrations from child cancer patients to benefit vital ongoing research.

Project Linus
Even the youngest child understands the security a special blanket brings.

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