What's on your holiday shopping list?

Posted by citiYellow

Saturday, 21 January 2012 07:30

(ARA) - Holiday shopping lists often contain toys, gift cards and other material items that the recipients can enjoy and put to good use. But your shopping list can go much further to not only benefit the recipients, but also a great cause.

Make your holiday gifts go further this holiday season with gifts that give back. One way is to purchase gifts through the American Diabetes Association's Gift of Hope catalog, where every penny of profit goes directly to diabetes research. In the last 40 years, more than $24 million has been raised.

Gift of Hope offers an exclusive line of items for everyone on your list:
* Holiday cards, many of which were created by or dedicated to a person with diabetes
* Personalized photo gifts, including holiday greeting cards, travel mugs, phone skins and more
* House wares and seasonal gift items, such as plates, ornaments and hand towels

Catalog purchases are a Gift of Hope to the nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. who have diabetes, including Kathy Howard from St. Louis. In 2008 Howard went to the emergency room thinking she had the flu, only to find out she had a stroke and type 2 diabetes.

"I couldn't even put into words the shock and terror I felt those first few days," explains Howard. "I began a new life the day I went to the hospital."

Since her stroke and diagnosis Howard has lost over 85 pounds and exercises regularly. "You have to keep working towards good health," she says. "Don't wait until something happens."

Another way to give back this holiday season is to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one. Gift of Hope offers honor or memorial gift cards, which represent a tax-deductible donation to diabetes research.

No matter which way you give, buy gifts that support a cause this season. Feel better about successfully checking off your holiday shopping list, while also making a difference in the lives of millions.

Support the Association's diabetes research efforts and help people like Howard. Shop the Gift of Hope online catalog at www.shopdiabetes.org/giftofhope.