Top Ten Gifts for Charitable Organizations

World Vision is one organization that offers unique ways to support those who truly need it. Ever thought about buying a cow this Christmas? Probably not, however, through organizations like World Vision and many others you have the opportunity to provide for a family or child who desperately needs the extra love this season.

10-A Goat, That's right-World Vision allows the purchase of a goat for $75. You'll never see the goat of course, however, you can donate a goat to a community or family in countries like Haiti and Kenya and you will be providing milk and nourishment for a family. Not only will a family be provided for nutritionally, you will also bless them economically. The family will be able to sell their extra dairy products and use the profit to purchase much needed items. The goat also provides fertilizer that can help increase crop yields!

9-Educational Support; By donating $32 to World Vision, you have the opportunity to provide the resources, school fees and other essentials that will ensure a proper education for the impoverished in developing countries around the world. Your gift of education will also allow a family or child the opportunity to advance and survive in a struggling economy.

8-Charity Trees, You can plant a tree in someone else's name by making a donation of a dollar. These are great stocking stuffers to remind little one's of the value of tree planting as a means of provision. The main trees planted are fruit trees which will become a self-renewing source of food. Trees for life is a non-profit organization that helps plant trees in developing countries. The goal is to help people by helping them learn how to function and benefit from the land that they have. Trees for life is also focused on providing hope rather than handouts.

7-American Humane Association provides disaster relief and protects children and animals. You can donate in memory of or in honor of someone to provide protection for animals or children. By donating to this non-profit organization in someone else's name you will be helping to "prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals and to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society."

6-Another way to contribute to the disaster relief is through the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. Again, this is something that could be done through someone else's name or just as a more meaningful Christmas gift. You and your family could provide great relief through the Red Cross in order to aid those who truly need it. The Red Cross accepts financial contributions readily and those are the best way to assist victims of disaster, however, there are also several items that can be donated to the Red Cross which will also aid in disaster and make a big difference. For example, unsolicited goods and medical equipment and supplies are often a need and readily accepted by the Red Cross.

5-Giving the gift of blood is another great way to give a gift that will make a big difference and save a life. This is also something that could be done as a family or couple and is a great need throughout the nation and dozens of developing countries.

Many churches and hospitals as well as schools host blood drives during the holiday season.

4-A Gorilla, want to give or receive a unique gift for Christmas? Why not adopt a gorilla? The Just Give organization allows mountain gorillas who are being continually threatened by poaching to be protected by adoption. For just $50, an infant gorilla can be adopted and an adult gorilla for $100. The Gorillas will then be protected by the Karisoke Research Center. You will receive a photo of your gorilla and adoption papers. What a great Christmas gift!

3-Sponsor a Child, Just Give also makes it possible to sponsor a child for $24 a month. Children in a developing country will be provided for nutritionally, educationally and with adequate shelter.

2-Practical Presents offer the chance to give all sorts of practical gifts that will help citizens of developing and impoverished nations. For 12 pounds, you can provide the gift of fuel efficient cooking to refugee camps of Sudan women and children. These women often make long and dangerous trips to collect firewood.

1-Provide the gift of a hose with holes to irrigate crops. Available from practical presents for 30 pounds, these hoses provide the chance for farmers to irrigate enough crops to feed their family and sell at the market.