by Mary Urban
What do you give someone who has all the latest tech gadgets and a cache of comfortable, stylish sweaters? Sometimes the best gifts are less tangible but give us peace of mind by knowing those caught in disasters or conflicts can benefit from our donations.
Cyber Monday is here, and perhaps after the craziness of Black Friday you might be reflecting on the lives of others who have experienced devastating loss. Making a gift donation to the Red Cross can be the perfect option for someone who is surrounded by everything they need or even for someone who feels most comforted by helping others who need assistance. You can choose to designate your gift to help your local Red Cross chapter, to support disaster relief, or to be put toward the area of greatest need.
If you want to give something more specific, such as comfort kits for service members or hot meals for victims of disasters, you can tailor your gift to the recipient. A full day of emergency shelter for one person is just $50 and includes three meals, two blankets, one cot, snacks, and personal hygiene supplies. A $15 gift donation provides the installation of a smoke alarm in the home of an at-risk family or individual, as well as fire safety training. Fireplaces and space heaters are used for holiday ambiance and heat, but they can be sources of potential hazards.
Any donation you make in honor of someone will be announced in either a Red Cross eCard or a Red Cross holiday greetings card. You can take it a step further: with a donation of $200 or more you receive a cozy Red Cross fleece blanket for your gift recipient as a more tangible token of the donation you have made in her honor. It will remind her year after year of how that gift helped others. A first aid kit is an invaluable item and something not many people purchase for themselves. For the person who truly does have just about everything, a donation of $500 to the Red Cross will bring the added bonus of a first aid kit for your lucky gift recipient in addition to the donation in his honor.
Avoid the crowded streets and malls this holiday season by shopping the Red Cross Holiday Catalog. In the process of giving a gift to your friend or loved one, you will also make a difference in the lives of others.
Browse for the perfect gift: Red Cross Holiday Catalog
Or, if you are inundated by gift certificates each year, start a new holiday tradition by letting your family and friends know these wonderful gift-giving opportunities are important to you. Stay safe and have a great holiday season!