This November and December, the Oxfam Mullingar shop is urging people to choose their Christmas presents from its range of Unwrapped gifts.
Since Oxfam first launched its Unwrapped range of Christmas presents, more than 500,000 people in countries like Tanzania and Malawi have had their lives improved, and at the same time mums, dads, grannies, and teachers all around Westmeath have received Unwrapped gifts like goats, seeds, and school books that have made them smile.
The 2011 Oxfam Ireland Unwrapped range features four brand new gifts - bees (€26 ), two little ducks (€27 ), fix a well (€28 ), and a donkey (€47 ). The range also sees the return of the popular, life-saving mosquito net gift (€7 ).
In 2010, people in Westmeath raised a total of €3,294 towards Unwrapped and this year Oxfam Mullingar shop manager Trudi Soysal is hoping the county can match that total and spread even more goodwill at this time of year.
“It’s not every day your shopping list includes bees or a donkey; it might well include a turkey but not really one whose job is to be a life-changer. This year we’re hoping people will continue to buy Christmas gifts like these to help put an end to global poverty. If we can match last year’s total we can raise enough to help hundreds of people in Africa this Christmas,” says Trudi.
When you give an Oxfam Unwrapped gift for Christmas it goes to an individual, family, or even a whole community in the countries where Oxfam works. You receive an exclusive gift card and fridge magnet to give to your friend or family member, or Oxfam can send it directly with a personalised message from you.
Prices in the 2011 range of Unwrapped gifts start from €7 for the mosquito net gift. Other gifts include chicks (€9 ), turkey (€20 ), piglets (€33 ), goat/s (€38/€76 ), cow (€105 ), farmyard (€179 ), cooking stove (€15 ), school books (€18 ), sunflowers (€24 ), drinking water for 3 families (€25 ), give girls a headstart (€30 ), plant trees (€36 ), feed a family (€45 ), supergranny (€59 ), water for a community [1,100 people] (€1,000 ) and water for a community [3,300 people] (€3,000 ).
The Oxfam Mullingar shop is located at 3 Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar. To purchase an Unwrapped gift, simply pop in and see Trudi and her team of volunteers, call 1850 30 40 55, or visit www.oxfamireland.org/unwrapped
