Virtual charitable gifts for the holidays are nothing new. You’ve probably sent or received “A goat has been purchased in your honour!” e-card at some point. Alternative giving programs allow a donation to virtually represent the cost of the item in the real world. The charity receives the cash and donors receive a tax receipt, and in some cases, a certificate or e-card.
If you’re tired of goats & pigs, take heart – some charitable organizations are going beyond sheep, wells, trees or school supplies as donation opportunities at the holidays.
Here’s the best we found this year!
Dinner & ice-skating
The Cause: Bernardo’s
The Gift: Christmas dinner and ice-skating
The Price: £25
The Pitch: A Christmas outing may seem like a small, even frivolous thing, but it can make a dramatic difference to the life of a young carer. It will be a memorable moment of fun with other children for whom, like Harry, Christmas may not be much fun at all.
The Awesome: A special outing is a charming addition to otherwise common “buy a meal” appeals.
Taters n’ gravy
The Cause: Christmas Bureau of Edmonton
The Gift: Mashed Potato Kit
The Price: $3.99
The Pitch: Nothing says family fun like the do-it-yourself Mashed Potato Kit. Simply peel, cut, boil and mash to your heart’s content. Perfect for family nights. Gravy included.
The Awesome: The art direction in this holiday food hamper program is so clever, you’ll want to load carrots, peas, broccoli and many more items into your cart.
Elf hockey sticks
The Cause: David Suzuki Foundation
The Gift: Elf-sized hockey sticks
The Pitch: Everyone knows how hard it is to adjust to life in a new town. Santa’s Elves will need to make new friends wherever they land, and the easiest way is to join the local shinny hockey game. That’s why Santa needs to stock up on elf-sized Hockey Sticks.
The Awesome: Don’t you want to honour a special person in your life with magic sleigh pontoons and reindeer water wings?
Poop! Magic poop!
The Cause: Send A Cow
The Gift: Magic Muck
The Price: £8.00
The Pitch: Manure, urine, plant waste and ash make fantastic compost that farmers can use to transform their land. The key to farming success; it’s a 100% natural recipe packed with nutrients and minerals that crops and vegetables love.
The Awesome: Poop for the holidays? Sold! They even have a game where you can splat animals with muck.
Blinky lights for blind kitties
The Cause: Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
The Gift: Lights for the virtual Christmas tree
The Price: $10.00
The Pitch: Our virtual tree needs to be trimmed. We have lights and gifts to make the tree beautiful, and different dollar donations will let you trim the tree.
The Awesome: Blind cats? Blinking animated .gifs? Just give them $10 right now!!!
Pit o’ balls!
The Cause: Christian Aid
The Gift: Nursery ball pool
The Price: £115.00
The Pitch: A ball pool could provide stimulation and joy for children in a nursery in Peru.
The Awesome: EVERYTHING is awesome about ball pits!
Ten thousand dollars
The Cause: SickKids Foundation
The Gift: A $10,000 commitment to curing cancer
The Price: $10,000
The Pitch: Provide financial backing to world-class medical pioneers whose innovative labs are working towards medical advancements like less toxic treatments for the 400-500 Canadian children who will get a brain tumour this year.
The Awesome: What an item to put in your shopping cart! Do it. Do it, somebody purchase this!
Uh, I made this blog on a PC. So it’s a bit crap. Like real people. 