NECESSITIES – www.allgifts.org
Alternative Gifts International allows you to choose among charities for sponsorship. Some help prevent communicable diseases among orphans in Vietnam while others provide clean water for a school in India. For $35, you can buy food for a family of six for a week in Baghdad.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – www.habitat.org
For $10, Habitat for Humanity can buy a box of nails for the home they’ll build for an impoverished family. For $35, roof shingles. Fifty dollars will buy a low flow toilet. Hey, we’ve all seen Brad Pitt sporting a hardhat and hanging out with the builders of his favorite charity. Now, thanks to you, your gift recipient can be a part of that same crew.
A VISION FOR THE WORLD – www.worldvision.org
Skip the fruitcake and help end world hunger and AIDS transmission or offer emergency aid, and clean water. Sponsor a child! Give a meaningful gift at World Vision.
ART, COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, HISTORY – www.wingluke.org
Education and entertainment can both be had with tickets to the Wing Luke Asian Museum. Besides special exhibits of Asian American art, culture and history, the museum also hosts special events like Family Day.
FOR LESS PINCH IN YOUR POCKET – www.goodwill.org & www.salvationarmyusa.org
A cool way to combine a low budget with going green and being philanthropic is to shop at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Not only will you find loads of affordable one-of-a-kind items, but you’ll also purchase recycled merchandise with dollars that are contributions to charity. Bingo!
GIVE TO A LOCAL CAUSE
Numerous local non-profits and agencies need your help this season! Pick a cause that is meaningful to you and give a donation to the mission on another’s behalf or for your own. There is the API Women and Family Safety Center, which offers support to domestic violence survivors (www.apiwfsc.org); the WAPISeattle organization, which provides support to local API youth to combat substance and alcohol abuse, develop leadership skills, and offer counter-gang services (www.wapiseattle.org) to name a few.
