American Red Cross Holiday Catalog Offers Meaningful Gifts

American Red Cross Holiday Catalog Offers Meaningful Gifts

News Release: December 7, 2011
Contact: Janice Osborne, Regional Communication Officer
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771

As Americans look for more meaningful ways to give this holiday season, the American Red Cross is offering its 2011 Holiday Giving Catalog (redcross.org/gifts), which includes a variety of symbolic gifts that support its humanitarian programs.

"With so many people out of work, Americans want to both give and receive things that mean something," Regional Executive John R. Hughes said. "The Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog provides consumers with opportunities to make a difference and give with a purpose this holiday season."

Shoppers can choose from a variety of symbolic gift items including:

Vaccinating an entire village
Providing food and shelter to a disaster victim
Purchasing phone cards and personal supplies for members of the U.S. Armed Forces
Bringing comfort items to platelet donors

Greeting cards are included with each tax-deductible catalog purchase to notify loved ones of the gifts you have made in their honor. You may also opt to send an e-card version. Each gift item provides support to the mission of the Red Cross and items are available to fit any budget.

According to a recent Red Cross poll, the majority of Americans plan to donate more or about the same to charity as they did last year, despite the sluggish economy. In fact, the poll found that 68 percent of Americans believe that because of the economy, it's important to give something to charity, an increase of 10 percent over last year.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross helped more than 92,300 people through preparedness and training classes, military support, senior lifesaving programs and services, emergency relief, information and referral and other education and outreach programs. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.