from the Director the Power of Community “Each of us is trying to help Dear Friends, families that need extra help. I met a precious family who Basic human needs are still inaccessible to many around literally lost everything.” the world: Food, shelter, water, education, freedom, and Lindy Nelson-Paryag stability. Regardless of the circumstances we are born into, Kingwood Christian Church, TX every human being should have the right to these basic things. Our AGI team considers one critical question when choosing the causes in this catalog: Does this project offer a long term, sustainable When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in August 2017, some smaller towns solution to a problem? In selecting the causes to present to you (the surrounding Houston were impacted too. Kingwood, Texas, where one donor) we want to make sure the ultimate beneficiary of your gift is of AGI’s markets is held, was one of them. We called Lindy Nelson-Paryag able to make a way out of their situation. (Kingwood Christian Church market coordinator) to check on things, and she informed us that her church was operating as a temporary shelter Each gift in this catalog makes a direct impact in the lives of those for those affected. Some families had no insurance and lost nearly every- who might otherwise be trapped in a hopeless cycle. For a family thing, forced to rebuild their lives from scratch. AGI was able to help this that has endured generations of poverty, your gift is a path toward community as they recovered from the devastation. stability. Perhaps the most astonishing thing to hear from Lindy was, “We’re plan- For the young girl who was coerced by traffickers, your gift is freedom ning on hosting a market in December...” Hearing this was unexpected, and a path toward healing. To the woman with a business idea but but not surprising. Our market hosts extend a helping hand time after no means to bring it to life, your gift opens a road to stable and time. They put heart and soul into helping their global neighbors through growing income, providing food, shelter and an opportunity to gift markets. educate her children. Your “alternative gift,” or your action to invite others to join in the giving, lifts people, steering their lives in a This community, despite their devastation, raised over $500—a gift which positive direction. planted trees in Central America, gave books to children in Ethiopia, clothes, food and school supplies to Syrian refugee children, clean water Our work wouldn’t be possible without you. We hope we help you to villages in South Sudan, and sewing machines to oppressed women feel the joy of giving and we thank you for helping us change the in India. Kingwood is a prime example of the POWER of community. world, one gift at a time. “Only they asked us to Peace, remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do” - Galatians 2:10 Surinder Kaur Moore Executive Director [email protected] A Cover Photo: hadynyah (istock) B What is an Alternative Gift? It’s a gift that empowers people, giving them opportunities for a brighter future. So, instead of a gadget for a special occasion, it’s a gift that lifts people out of poverty, gives clean water, or education. By sending a greeting card of your choice ( How can your community G & H) with an enclosed gift insert describing the gift ( below ), your friends or family members can be honored in a change the world? Ask your church, meaningful and thoughtful way. see pages school or business to sample Each year, hundreds of host a Gift Market! caring volunteers decide to take action and come A Gift g evin in hougrh trono hrouy AAlllttteeerrrnnaatttiiivvvee Giiffftttss IInnnttteeerrrnnaatttiiiooonnaall together to have a gift Fresh fruit for market fundraiser. It’s improved nutrition simple: Decide which JQLGG$IIU U KVH IIUU GOLKFDRWWLXȇV WHLGIIRR WULLȴȴ VHWK HQXPPLULH causes you want to VV\\\VV WXQVHYRUSPLGQDPHWUL QRLW support and call us to In the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, orphaned and impoverished children live and learn in schools under order your planning harsh conditions. Poor nutrition makes it even harder guide. You can also for students to concentrate in class. Inadequate nutrition causes the immune system to weaken; this create an online may cause illness that can increase student absences. Simply put, learning is harder for children when they are fundraiser through hungry and sick. A balanced diet helps children learn our website: and grow. alternativegifts.org The Fruit for Learning & Growing program provides fruit to students who live primarily on rice and beans. Fruit gives much needed vitamins and minerals to children and is resulting in longer attention spans in class, and fewer absences due to illness. Currently only 120 By hosting a fundraising gift market you can also support a local food children at Humble Hearts receive fruit each week. pantry or shelter program. It’s just another way you can take action to This gift of efruit will become a daily part of a meal for all students attending Humble Hearts School. impact locally and globally! G ©2018-19 A tivnaerlte Gifft t M . nc, Iketsar 800.842.2243 w g.ortsifegtivnaer.altww 1P. How to Order a Gift Browse the catalog to select the causes/gifts. Select your Greeting Card choices. Tell us Order by Phone Find out how you where to send the gift! We can mail the 800.842.2243 gifts to you, or mail them directly to your can be a part of Online gift recipient. alternativegift.org change C By mail Phone P.O. Box 3810 800.842.2243 Wichita KS 67201 Email Our Commitment [email protected] described on the catalog: 90% page.of each donated dollar is directed to the cause as D Coming soon! Changing the world one gift at a time is about to get easier at: www.alternativegifts.org Corporate Gift Matching HOW YOUR GIFT DOUBLES Whether you are a Many companies will match charitable gift contributions made by their returning donor, employees, company retirees, or spouses of employees, to qualifying Discover the people or a first time gift nonprofit organizations. shopper, our new website behind the mission, is designed to give you Your gift through this catalog can have double the impact by asking a better online gifting learn why and how we your company to match the donation! Request a matching gift form experience. We’ve placed from your Human Resources department, and we will do the rest. a special emphasis on do what we do, and highlighting opportunities so much more. Complete your portion of the form and mail it to: Alternative Gifts International for you to get actively Visit alternativegifts.org involved by going beyond P.O. Box 3810 giving alternative gifts. Wichita, KS 67201 E F Need help with your order? Give us a call at 800.842.2243 Greeting Cards Choose a beautiful greeting card MORE CARD CHOICES ON OUR WEBSITE CARDS ARE $2 EACH. INSCRIBED $3 to accompany your gift insert www.alternativegifts.org A14 H2 PARTRIDGE VIEW FROM A OAXACAN ROOF Blessed is the season which engages the Think of all the beauty whole world in a still left around you conspiracy of love. and be happy. ~Anne Frank ~ Hamilton Wright Mabi ARTIST: A1 LEAVES A2 THE WORLD TREE ADAM CRISPIN ARTIST: LYNDA LEGG One touch of nature makes The World is what we all the whole world kin. have in common. ~William Shakespeare ~ Wendell Berry ARTIST: REBECCA BRIDGES ARTIST: STEPHANIE MARTENS H7 JOY OF HEAVEN ARTIST: WADE HAMPTON Goods news from heaven the angels bring, Glad tidings to the earth they A16 NATURE A17 sing: To us this day a child is given, To crown us with the joy of heaven. Blank Inside PHOTOGRAPHER: NEW PEACE Blank Inside DENISE MARIE Gift Cards are a fantastic way to celebrate BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, anniversaries, AND special OCCASIONS, or just to say “Thank you!” Gift Cards GREEN GIVING Mail a Gift Card Order Gift Cards at: alternativegifts.org or Send an e-Gift Card via email call us at 1.800.842.2243 and we will mail to reduce paper waste! it for you. By purchasing a Pre-Paid Gift Card for All transactions are safe and secure your recipient, you let them choose the project(s) that speaks to them. Pre-Paid Gift Cards start at just $5! G H I J KENYA CAMBODIA FRUIT FOR LEARNING AND GROWING LUNCHES AND TEXTBOOKS FOR KIDS Adding fresh fruit to a child’s diet fortifies their immune system and Finley (pictured), has achieved a healthy weight gain, and her previously improves nutrition. reddish-blonde hair, due to the chronic malnutrition, is nearly all black. PHOTO BY:ANGEL COVERS In the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, orphaned and impoverished PHOTO BY: LOVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES children live and learn in schools under harsh conditions. Poor nutrition makes it even harder for students to concen trate in In Cambodia, developmental delays are prevalent class. Inadequate nutrition causes the immune system to due to chronic malnutrition. Many children (under age $9 A textbook & weaken; this may cause illness that can increase student 5) are below 1% in growth, which has serious impli- weekly hot lunch absences. Simply put, learning is harder for children when cations for brain development, cognitive functioning, for a student they are hungry and sick. A balanced diet helps children learn $22 Provides and long-term health. $22 A hot school and grow. 80 pieces of fruit lunch for a student In 2016, Love Without Boundaries (LWB) built its $55 Provides for one month Angel Covers (AC) provides fruit to students who live 200 pieces first Believe in Me School to bring education to rural HAVE A primarily on rice and beans.