My last post was Gifts that Nurture People & Our Planet. Charities are hurting in this bad economy. If you have someone who might appreciate knowing that the gift you give them is helping others, or you just want to do something kind for the holidays, here are a few suggestions. There are so many ways to give to others during this season. These are a few good ones I came across. I’m not going into many details with them. Check each website for that.

Cleanup is bar soap shaped like a landmine and sold to raise money to support landmine removal, survivor assistance and The Cambodia Landmine Museum.

The Indego Africa Project sells craft baskets and ornaments made by Rwandan women, and 100% of the profits go toward their ongoing training in IT, accounting, and other skills that will help them lift themselves out of poverty, and help Rwanda compete in the global economy. After the tragic genocide of the 1990s, Rwandans are looking toward the future, and every day Indego Africa customers are helping them.

Powered Green is a renewable energy company based around a unique wind energy sponsorship that comes with a ‘Powered Green’ emblem for laptop and desktop computers.

Lindsay Olive Holiday Wreath: I happen to adore Lindsay Olives. For the holiday season, they created a wreath using fresh, green olive branches, which are universally recognized as a symbol of peace, along with branches from bay and eucalyptus trees, hand woven together to create a 20-inch round wreath. Each is handmade when ordered so it’s as fresh and long-lasting as possible. The branches are harvested from California groves and, over time, dry to a beautiful silvery green. Proceeds from the wreath sales go to The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). It’s available through December. Check it out at Lindsay Olives.

CharityChoice Gift Cards: Instead of sending a physical gift card, e-cards can be sent online with a personalized message for all occasions – minimizing the carbon footprint of the product. There are over 100 nationally recognized non-profit organizations on the website organized by category. The recipient can choose up to 3 charities of their choice to donate the value of the CharityChoice gift. All of the proceeds go to a charity.

The Arbor Day Foundation has several gifts that give back to the earth. Give-A-Tree Cards allow you to send holiday greetings (and for other occasions, too) and plant trees in America’s national forests. Every card plants a tree in honor of the recipient in a forest that has been devastated by wildfires, insects or disease. Arbor Day Specialty Coffee helps preserve the Earth’s precious rain forests.

The Fresh Air Fund asked me to let you know they rely on donations this time of year to keep their programs strong for the summer months. They have a microsite which explains everything.

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