USA (MNN) — Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. People around the world celebrate by worshipping at church, giving gifts to one another, and getting together as family and friends. This year, Medical Teams International wants you to celebrate by helping someone in need.
"We're talking about saving the life of a child," says the President of Medical Teams International Bas Vanderzalm. "Every year, more than 8 million children die of preventable diseases. That's a child every four seconds. And there's a lot we can do to make a difference in these children."
Vanderzalm says you can give the gift of life through the Christmas gift catalog. "We have ways people can help prevent malaria, help prevent diarrhea, and save the life of a child for very little money –maybe $20, or $8 — for medicines or a bed net."
Your gift does more than help physically. "Those who receive this help will understand this is coming because God loves them. We hope that as a result, their hearts will be transformed as well as their physical needs."
As you give your gift, you can actually make it a Christmas gift for someone on your "Hard to Buy For" list, says Vanderzalm. "You can make that in honor of someone, like your father or mother. Or perhaps an uncle or a friend. And they will get a card from us," thanking them for saving a life.
Your gift given now through the year of the year will be even more effective. Vanderzalm says, "We have a family that would like to challenge other people in supporting us and contributing through this catalog, so they have actually said to us that for every gift that we receive up to a total of $200,000, they will match the gifts."
To help Medical Teams International, click here, or call 1-800-959-4325 and request your catalog.
