Mercy Kits: Holiday Giving that Supports Communities Around the World

Portland, OR - Global relief and development organization Mercy Corps offers consumers and business gift-givers unique charitable gift options - Mercy Kits.

Mercy Kits are a convenient way for people to give a gift and honor a friend or loved-one by supporting innovative humanitarian programs, including breastfeeding education in Indonesia, helping women start businesses and more.

These gifts provide the opportunity to share a commitment or cause - such as hunger issues or climate change - with their friends and families while making a fully tax-deductible donation to Mercy Corps international humanitarian programs.

Each Mercy Kit recipient receives an attractive personalized card from the friend, family member or co-worker who purchased the kit. The Mercy Kit card describes the program and cause the donation goes to support. Cards can be mailed, e-mailed or even printed from a computer, making Mercy Kits a perfect last minute gift idea. This year we've added a bulk ordering option, a simple way to get Mercy Kits for everyone on your list. We'll ship the cards to your front door, free of charge — then you can personalize them and send to your loved ones. The buyer of the Mercy Kit will also receive a receipt for tax-deduction purposes.

For 2008, we're offering eight new kits, a wider price range to fit every budget, and all new card designs. The new kits support programs ranging from sports-based recovery for disaster-affected children to building fuel-efficient stoves in Congo's displacement camps.

"With Mercy Kits, gift-givers can thoughtfully pay tribute to friends and loved ones while helping alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression in communities around the world," says Joy Portella, Communications Director for Mercy Corps.

Mercy Corps makes holiday shopping easy with a Mercy Kit online gift catalog. You can also purchase Mercy Kits by phone by calling 1-800-292-3355 x250.

More than 20 tax-deductible Mercy Kits are available in various denominations, including:

• Women's Small Business Kit: For many women in troubled regions, economic opportunities are limited, and traditional salaries make it difficult for them to provide for their children. Small business opportunities can help them achieve economic independence and stability, and give them a sense of accomplishment. Help female entrepreneurs in developing countries gain financial independence by starting a small business ($45).
• Breastfeeding Kit: Breastfeeding has been called "a natural safety net against the worst effects of poverty." But breastfeeding rates are alarmingly low in places where that safety net is needed most. Help give infants in Jakarta, Indonesia a healthy start by encouraging the use of early and exclusive breastfeeding ($75).
• Climate Change Kit: Climate change affects us all but particularly the poor and vulnerable in high risk developing countries. Where drought, flooding and crop failure are wreaking havoc on already fragile lives, climate change will worsen their impact. The Climate Change Kit gives youth the tools and training in climate-friendly, economically sustainable jobs to address the issue of global climate change ($60).
• Children's Food Kit: In the world's poorest and most troubled regions, vulnerable children often fall through the cracks. Hunger not only leads to malnutrition but also results in other critical health issues, plunging communities into further crisis. As the global food crisis worsens, help children grow up healthy by providing high-quality, nutritious food to malnourished children ($25).