Holiday Gifts That Give Back

Now that the election is over and the political ads have fallen away, my attention has turned to the holidays. Although the campaign advertisements are now a thing of the past, images of the destruction by Hurricane Sandy still remain. Those images haunt me and I feel very blessed as I am reminded that the only difference between me and those who had their homes literally destroyed is geography. Each day I help Richmond VA home buyers fulfill the American Dream of home ownership and it breaks my heart to watch the news and see people speak so fondly of the homes they just lost. I have made my donation to the American Red Cross and feel great about that, but in this time of need my instinct is to do more. Not just for the hurricane victims, but for humanity.

This morning I was getting the kids ready for school and happened to glance down at a catalog that came in the mail yesterday. Being 6am, I wasn’t sure if I read the cover correctly, but I did: Give a goat, ducks, and lifesaving medicines. The catalog is the Christmas 2012 World Vision Gift Catalog. I have never seen this before, but after flipping through it, I am intrigued. Through this catalog, you can donate things such as livestock, fruit trees, and even clean water to those so desperately in need of the very basics of life. These truly are holidays gifts that give back.

Immediately I started thinking of my clients and the closing gifts I present once a transaction has closed. While a gift card to a home improvement store is usually just what a first time home owner needs, I have worked with clients who have everything they need and I know they would love nothing more than a donation made in their name. Maybe these holiday gifts that give back are just what is called for.

That being said, I have NOT researched this organization therefore I can not vouch for the mission. However, they note on the first page of the catalog that 86% of every gift goes to programs helping children and families overcoming poverty in nearly 100 countries. As a Richmond VA Realtor, my very job is to help with the basics of life and that is shelter. Wouldn’t it be great to give shelter to my clients and other basic necessities of life to others on their behalf? I look forward to learning more.

What about you? What charities do you like to give to?

-Shannon Milligan, Keller Williams Realty Richmond West

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