As economy tightens, World Vision's Gift Catalog makes gift giving dollars go farther

SEATTLE, Oct. 27, 2008—As the worsening U.S. economy continues to put pressure on millions of Americans this Christmas, World Vision’s Gift Catalog offers an economical way to remember those on your holiday shopping list. And a gift given from the Gift Catalog significantly improves the life of a child or family in need by providing tools and opportunities to overcome extreme poverty, while at the same time honoring your friends and loved ones.

“It’s a great way to make your holiday gift dollar go farther but Gift Catalog allows parents to model sacrificial giving to their kids”, says Devin Hermanson, gift catalog senior director. “And with the U.S. economy struggling, children begin to understand how much worse it must be right now in the developing world.”

There are more than 100 gifts (many under $35) to choose from: www.worldvisiongifts.org.
For each World Vision gift, the giver can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. In the following year, the gift itself or intervention reaches the child or family in need.

World Vision launched the Gift Catalog in 1996. It has grown more popular each year since. And while a goat ($75) may be World Vision’s number one seller, many affordable choices are under $35, including:

• Two ducks ($12)
• One chicken ($13)
• Two basketballs ($16)
• Stock a low-income American classroom with learning supplies ($25)
• Give a wool blanket to a disaster survivor, AIDS patient or a child in need ($30)
• Provide a Caregiver Kit to bring comfort to those living with AIDS ($35)
• Handcrafted bracelet made by Ugandan women caring for AIDS orphans ($35)

To order, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org or call toll-free (888) 511-6511. All items are tax-deductible.

Additional media contacts:

Gardi Wilks (Central US) gardi@wilkspr.com 708-366-8389
Laura Blank (Eastern US) lblank@worldvision.org 646-245-2496
Myrna Gutierrez (Los Angeles & Western US) mgutierr@worldvsion.org 323-377-2432
John Yeager (Seattle & Pacific Northwest) jyeager@worldvision.org 253-815-2356


World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.