World Vision Charity and Eco Cold Cup Review

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, most Americans consider making a charitable donation this time of year, whether its for a last minute tax deduction or just because of the feel good feeling that comes with giving to others.

I wanted to tell you about a charity called World Vision. I was sent an Eco Cold Cup from their Maximum Impact Gift Catalog for this review. World Vision helps families and children struggling in communities around the world.

With a financial contribution, the gift giver can select one of 35 Maximum Impact items from World Vision’s Gift Catalog, like the Eco Cold Cup. You can give a gift to a loved one and help a person in need.

Shoppers can match the gift to the hobby or interest of the recipient, like a child who loves animals being given a goat, cow, or chickens to provide a family with a new source of nutrition or the opportunity to sell produce and help climb out of poverty or a gardener helping feed a farmer’s family with the funds being used to purchase hybrid or drought-resistant seeds.

The Eco Cold Cup holds 16 oz. and is BPA free. It is made from high quality acrylic and is designed for hot and cold liquids. It can not be microwaved, used for cooking, or freezing and is not intended for children. It does need to be hand washed without chlorine or cleaners that contain chlorine. The suggested gift is $50 for the Eco Cold Cup. I have been enjoying this cup to try a new concoction – water with a tablespoon of chlorophyll with mint. This is my new pick-me-up. I like the feel of the cup and how it has a rubber ring to help prevent spills if it tips over. The only thing that I wish was different with the Eco Cold Cup would be the ability to wash in the dishwasher.

Tomorrow, Tues., November 27, 2012, has been termed “Giving Tuesday” after two days devoted to shopping (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). World Vision is joining almost one thousand other organizations nationwide to encourage Americans to take part in this new movement.

“Giving Tuesday is intended to open the holiday season on a philanthropic note and put heart back into the holidays.” says Sarah Renusch, World Vision’s Gift Catalog Director. “World Vision knows not everyone is able to take off work to physically volunteer, but we still are encouraging volunteers to give virtually by donating food, clothing, and a number of life-changing gifts online through World Vision.”

During the week of November 26th, any gift of food, clothing, or school supplies for children in the U.S. given through World Vision’s Gift Catalog will be designated for their relief efforts to those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

There are many ways to participate in Giving Tuesday:

• Volunteer Virtually: Not everyone is able to take off work to physically volunteer, but you can volunteer virtually by donating food kits online through World Vision. Each ‘kit’ contains enough food to feed a family of five for one day ($16 per kit). During the week of Giving Tuesday (November 26th – December 2nd), food kits, clothing, and school supplies in the U.S. given through World Vision’s Gift Catalog will be donated to those in need impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

• Give a Meaningful Gift: Share the spirit of Giving Tuesday by giving a gift that can change a life.World Vision’s Gift Catalog has hundreds of gifts such as goats, fresh water wells, and life- saving medicines that can be given in the name of a family member, teacher, co-worker, or child and help one of more than 825,000 people around the world who benefit from gift catalog items. Gifts range in price from $16 to $39,000, and there are more than 250 items online to choose from. After purchasing a Gift Catalog item, the person in whose name the gift was given can receive a special card describing the gift and its impact.

•Teach Generosity: Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, and teachers to help children understand the importance of generosity and giving to others. WorldVision’s Gift Catalog can be a helpful educational tool. The Pendleton family, of Colorado, adopted their son from Kazakhstan. When he saw the Mongolian Ger in the catalog, he immediately wanted to buy one for people in his homeland. “I didn’t know how to explain to a 10-year-old that $1,862 is a lot of money, so I didn’t,” said mom Amy. “And sure enough, he raised it all!”

To learn more about World Vision’s Gift Catalog visit www.worldvisiongifts.org or call (888) 511-6511. This year marks the 17th annual edition of the catalog. Since 1996, the catalog’s popularity as a gift-giving alternative has grown with more than 160,000 purchases last year raising over $33 million that helped more than 825,000 people around the world.

To find out more about Giving Tuesday go to www.givingtuesday.org

About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world’s poor, regardless of a person’s religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

Disclosure: I received an Eco Cold Cup to produce this review. No other compensation was received. The thoughts and feelings expressed are my own.

About Karen