Feed the world and let them know it's Christmas time: alternative holiday options

I had the joy of experiencing a bit of holiday cheer today. On my way back from doing some Christmas shopping, I decided to treat myself by swinging by the local Second Cup. When I pulled up to the drive-through, I was informed that the person in the car ahead of me had purchased my drink for me, in an attempt to spread a bit of goodwill. Lacking anyone behind me to purchase a drink for, I decided to put some funds towards a worthy cause, and sent some money towards Oxfam when I got home.

So if you’d rather avoid the insanity that are holiday drivers and shoppers, here are some options for “alternative gifts” or just a way for you to let the world know it’s Christmas time.

Oxfam
Founded in 1995 Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 organizations seeking to combat poverty and injustice. Oxfam comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief founded in the UK in 1942.

Donations can be directed towards a number of areas such as the Darfur crisis, Hurricane Relief, or the East Africa Food Crisis.


Canadian Physicians For Aid and Relief
Plant a Tree in Africa. Every dollar donated plants 2 trees. Since 1986, the organization has planted over 50 million trees


Spread The Net
Every $10 donated buys a bed net for children in Liberia and Rwanda to help fight Malaria. In Liberia, Malaria accounts for 32% of mortality among children under 5. In Rwanda, the number is 42%.


46664
Named after Nelson Mandela’s former prison number, 46664 is “an African response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic”. According to their website, , the money raised from concerts and affiliated campaigns has been used to finance the ongoing 46664 campaign and to directly fund the three major HIV AIDS projects in Africa that we support. The AWDF (African Womens' Development Fund) who manage over 400 HIV AIDS projects across the sub-Saharan continent; the FDC in Mozambizue; and the Goelama project in South Africa.


Free The Children:
Gift options from $25 to $8500. Funds go towards everything from building schools, buying school kits for children, planting trees, training teachers or building wells.

Craig Kielburger founded Free The Children in 1995 when he was 12 years old(what have you done lately). The organization is focused on freeing children from poverty and exploitation.