Give the world a gift this holiday with Oxfam America Unwrapped

BOSTON ? With the holiday season surprisingly close at hand, Oxfam America today announced the third-year expansion of its online alternative gift catalog, OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com. Proceeds from these symbolic gifts go to fund Oxfam America?s efforts to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice in more than 120 countries.

This year, donors can snap up more than 50 unexpected gifts that do good. Make the world a greener place by planting 100 trees or giving a can of worms. Choose from life-sustaining animals: a goat, a dozen baby chicks, a pair of oxen, or a donkey. These and other essential items, such as emergency toilets, school uniforms, and water purifiers make a real difference to communities in need.

?Unwrapped?s gifts reflect the real work that Oxfam America does around the world to promote ways to make a living, provide emergency relief, and improve nutrition,? said Stephanie Kurzina, vice president of fundraising for Oxfam America. ?Whether it?s an environmental champion or a well-meaning couch potato in your life, a gift from Unwrapped is a great way to support our work in poor countries.?

Oxfam Ambassador and ?Sex in the City? star Kristin Davis has travelled to Southern and Eastern Africa with Oxfam to see programs and to hear directly from people living in poverty. She appeared last year on the ?Rachael Ray Show? with a donkey and talked about how they make women safer and more independent in war zones like Darfur.

?If you want to give a present that actually helps people, Oxfam America Unwrapped is for you,? said Kristin Davis. ?Giving through Unwrapped creates a powerful connection between you, the friend you gift, and the person at the end of the line who truly benefits.?

Here?s how it works: shoppers choose the gift and personalize a card online, their friend or loved one receives a card in the mail, and the gift helps someone in need. All gift contributions are general donations to Oxfam America and are fully tax deductible, and the online catalog makes it particularly convenient for last-minute holiday giving.

Some of the new additions to Oxfam America Unwrapped this year include:

• Pair of sheep ($90): a couple of these fleecy critters allow women to generate their own income by making local textiles.
• A farmer?s flock ($150): here?s a gift that stands out from the herd! Provide traditional herders with additional livestock, increasing income and improving nutrition. These are life-changing opportunities for a poor family.
• Rebuild a primary school ($1,500): create a safe haven for children in poor or war torn communities to go back to school, and realize their dreams of a better tomorrow.

Visit OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com to view all 57 items available in the catalog.