Looking for that perfect holiday gift that embraces the true meaning of Christmas? You may find it at a somewhat unexpected place—the American Red Cross. They have thoughtfully, and we think cleverly, constructed their own gift catalog. A $50 gift buys 10 blankets for emergency shelters (people displaced by one of those Christmas tree fires, perhaps?). $50 will also provide hearty, comforting food to families recovering from disaster. You can let family and friends know that a gift has been purchased in their name…and tell them the exact use of the charitable gift.
And if your heart is especially overflowing with holly, a generous $1,000 gift will secure 20 military comfort kits. (You can buy smaller quantities.) Many injured service members make the long journey from the battlefield to the hospital without any personal items. Now you can help the Red Cross warmly welcome them at a military hospital with a kit filled with items such as a robe, shower shoes, toiletries and even a music gift card. The sort of stocking stuffers you might give your own family. We hear a lot of hearts growing three sizes out there.
--Sarah Hagerty
