Alternative Gifts
To make a gift to one of these organizations, simply click on their name to be taken directly to the donations page on their respective websites.
Heifer envisions A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet. Heifer’s mission is To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Heifer's strategy is To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.
This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.
St. Margaret's House improves the lives of women and children by providing individual attention to their immediate needs, breaking the bonds of isolation and helping them acquire skills to better their lives. Through a philosophy of shared ownership in St. Margaret's House, guests become empowered by participating in planning and decision making.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County builds homes with volunteers in partnership with those in need of adequate housing. Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 130 homes for low-income, hard-working families here in St. Joseph County! Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
A NARHA Premier accredited facility since its inception, Reins of Life, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Since 1978 Reins of Life (ROL) has been bringing the power of equine-assisted activities to individuals with disabilities of all ages at its riding center in South Bend, Indiana. ROL has been a Premier Accredited Center under the auspices of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) for its entire existence. 500 Reins riders come from an estimated 100-mile radius that includes St. Joseph, Marshall, Elkhart, Fulton, Porter, Starke and LaPorte Counties in Indiana, and Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan.
AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist of Northern Indiana
Our goals are five fold: to provide access to community support; to provide assistance to those in need; to educate the public regarding the challenges facing the community regarding HIV/AIDS infection and prevention; to raise public awareness and advocate for the dignity and rights of those infected with HIV/AIDS; to stimulate and collaborate with religious and other communities of care to build networks for education and support.
