We have most everything we could want, and Christmas is really about celebrating giving to others, rather than receiving. A few years ago, many of us decided to forgo (almost all) material gifts at Christmas in favor of giving that money to charity in the names of our loved ones. This idea was such a smash hit that it has expanded every year. A charitable Christmas, however, is plagued by one of the same problems as a commercial Christmas - you still have to pick something that your loved one would like.
Some favorites of years past include gifts to Heifer International (Dad got a pig) and a number of organizations working to provide health care to shockingly underserved populations. Now that this has become a family tradition, many people have started making requests. In order to help everyone in our family, and others who would like to give something to one of us, here's a list of the charities that various Westins, Thomases, and other relatives have listed as their favorites.
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health)
or
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Food Bank
P. O. Box 55370
Portland, Oregon 97238-5370
or
Portland Women's Union Foundation
PO Box 1032
Portland, Oregon 97207-1032