The mention of the holiday season has shown up a lot in my blog postings, so I thought I would continue to follow that theme while including my organization, Oxfam America. While writing my organization paper, I came across Oxfam America Unwrapped. This group has an online “catalogue” that has a variety of “gifts” ranging from a school uniform to a goat. A donor, or buyer, “purchases” a gift for the amount of money stated and the funds go to projects Oxfam is working on. All of the ”gifts,” “symbolically represent our work.” “The items selected represent project goals from grants disbursed by our seven offices around the world.” So you are not really buying a school uniform or a goat, it is just a symbol. The funds are allotted to projects and areas of the world that are most in need. I thought this was a great way for Oxfam to raise awareness and funds in an interesting way.
In addition to purchasing the items and giving your funds to the organization, a card is sent to a person of your choice. Basically, you have the opportunity to buy an item and donate your money in their name. I think this could be a cool way to “give” gifts at Christmas time. Think about it, you could “buy” children’s toys or water jugs, well theoretically, and help Oxfam aid people around the world this holiday season, AND you can give that gift in honor of a person close to you. It is a win-win idea for gift giving this season. Think about it and visit their website.
oxfamamericaunwrapped.com
