My dad is the most generous person I know. He's always giving of himself - his time, his resources, his energy - to anyone and everyone. He's also the least materialistic person I know. Interesting how those two qualities go hand in hand. He doesn't ever want anything, except to spend time with his family. And who can blame him? We are pretty great!
This year for Christmas I made a donation to Heifer International in his name. In a nutshell, they provide livestock (and saplings, honeybees, etc.) and education to hungry people all over the world. PBug and I looked through their gift catalog and she chose the "Flock of Hope" package, which will provide chicks, ducklings, and goslings to hungry families from the Philippines and Rwanda, as well as teach them how to care for their animals.
One of the great things about donating through Heifer International is that you choose what your money is spent on. Your kids can participate in the decision, giving them a tangible idea of the difference that will be made.
Later the same day, we were eating eggs from our own chickens and started talking about the eggs and fertilizer that our gift would provide for a family. She asked me "What if they don't like eggs?" That question sparked a very interesting conversation about what it really means to be hungry, a condition I intend to ensure she never experiences.
I'm pretty sure my dad's going to love his "gift," and I'm positive that he's going to make a big deal out of it when he opens it. I hope to make this gift a Christmas tradition, and am also looking for more opportunities to give in this way.
Do you have any traditions involving charitable giving? I love to hear about them!
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I love this idea.
ReplyDeleteWe go to a site called Kiva.org. This site allows you to loan out money to different people who need money for a small business plan.
ReplyDeleteIt is great because you can choose the person you are lending your money to & learn a little bit about them. Then once the money is paid back, you get to do again and again.
My boys get excited when I tell them that we get to choose another person to give the money to. We have done it about 4 times in the last 2 years with the same $25. We have also given this as a gift many times. And what is great is to hear the boys explain the process to the person we are gifting.
Ooh, micro-loans are so effective in developing countries -- I like this Kiva.org idea. I'm definitely looking into it!
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