So... Christmas is coming closer. A few months. The frenzy of shopping, money-splurging, cooking, and family is coming soon to houses all over the world.

Now, I've got a question for you. No, it's not the standard "what do YOU do?" or "what do YOU want" or anything like that.

My question is this: what *kind* of gift do you want?

I can hear you now, you're wondering what this crazy person's going on about. I said I wasn't asking what you wanted, right?

I lied. To clarify the previous question: would you rather have a physical present (or multiple presents you might not want anyway) or something more to the emotional side? something that will not be given to you, but rather to others.

Let me introduce the Heifer program.

First, let me say that this is not strictly a Christmas thing - it's available any time you care to help out.

Onto what they do:

For a donation, they send an animal (ranging from chickens to water buffalo and camels) to a family in need. This animal can then provide a steady source of income for this family. In addition, the first female baby of all single, live-bearing animals is given to another family in need, and so on.

Before you turn away saying you can't ever afford that, read on. A flock of chickens/ ducks/ geese, a whole FLOCK, cost only $20. This is less than a great deal of Christmas presents already.

You can also buy a share of a larger animal, in addition to being able to pay for the whole animal. For example, a hiefer costs $500 to send, but for a donation of $50 you help to move an animal over as well.

There are 12 species of animals that can be sent, as well as various mixes, such as the flock of hope (geese, ducks, and chickens) and the gift ark (every animal they raise for the program). You may also purchase trees, which help to keep the land useable by preventing extreme erosion.


Hopefully, I've sparked your interest. If not, I hope that I've given you an awareness of something that you can do to help others this Christmas (and other times of the year!).

Without further text... the link to the catalog:

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