Contributor: Megan Zabel Holmes

Our supporters are incredibly thoughtful people. Thank you for writing this letter, Margaret, and thanks for allowing us to share it.

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I am one of those competitive gift-givers who finds satisfaction in knowing that my creative and thoughtfully packaged presents look better than the other ones under the tree — which, although thrilling, creates a conundrum, because I’m also a proponent of giving symbolic gifts. There’s only so much DIY you can inflict on an envelope.

The good news: I’ve realized that I can have it both ways. I matched a few of my favorite Mercy Corps gifts with some low-to-no-cost handmade or reused goodies, which both fulfilled my need to win at packaging and feel good knowing that the gifts I’m giving are doing more than looking pretty — they’re helping families survive in some of the world’s toughest places.

Here's what I've come up with:

Vegetable Garden with Herb Box
Mercy Corps Gift Price: $40
Goodies: $5–$10

In places where fresh produce is hard to find or afford, Mercy Corps provides families with seeds, tools and know-how to plant their own household gardens, producing enough food for meals — and extra to sell for much-needed income. I paired the Vegetable Garden with the pieces to assemble a little indoor herb garden — something just about anyone, green thumb or no, can appreciate and find space for. Wooden planter boxes are available at IKEA for $5. If you’re lucky, you’ll find something similar for couch change at your local thrift store.

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Photo: Sanjay Gurung/Mercy Corps

"What caught me were her eyes, which despite the conflict and suffering all around, told a story of expectation and hope." — Senior Program Officer Sanjay Gurung

Sanjay’s photo of a Sudanese girl in Blue Nile State had the same effect on many of you as it did the photographer. You decided that this arresting image will be the cover of our 2012 Calendar, winning 57 percent of the vote.

If you chose one of the other finalists, don't be too disappointed — you'll find those photos
featured inside the calendar. Thank you to all who voted!

Reserve your calendar today by joining our monthly giving program, Partners In Mercy.

Monthly giving is a convenient way to reliably support our work around the world
all year long. Your gifts will help women in Sudan gain a voice in their communities,
children in Japan heal emotionally from tsunami-related trauma, and families around the
world recover from war, disaster and poverty.

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Cast your vote! It's up to you to choose the cover of our 2012 calendar.

We're putting together a calendar featuring the faces and places of the people who benefit from your generous contributions. Our creative team picked three finalists from our library of 72,000 images, photos of young women whose hopeful expressions shine amidst challenging circumstances. Their courage and spirit embody Mercy Corps' mission — we hope they inspire you as much as they do us.

Visit our Facebook page to see the photos and vote for your favorite. (Your vote will be recorded even if you're not signed into Facebook or don't have an account.)

We'll announce the winner on Friday, September 9.

P.S.: Secure your calendar now — sign up to be a monthly donor and we'll mail you a 2012 calendar this fall!

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