Singer Luke McMaster feeds a donkey corn at a pop-up marketplace for World Vision Canada's meaningful giving campaign outside historic St. James Cathedral on Wednesday, Dec. 17. (2014) - Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Goats, chickens and an alpaca were among the many animals on display at a pop-up marketplace for World Vision Canada's meaningful giving campaign outside historic St. James Cathedral at 65 Church St. on Wednesday. - Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Singer Luke McMaster feeds a donkey corn at a pop-up marketplace for World Vision Canada's meaningful giving campaign outside historic St. James Cathedral on Wednesday, Dec. 17. (2014) - Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Singer Luke McMaster feeds a donkey corn at a pop-up marketplace for World Vision Canada's meaningful giving campaign outside historic St. James Cathedral on Wednesday, Dec. 17. (2014) - Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Goats, chickens and an alpaca were among the many animals on display at a pop-up marketplace for World Vision Canada's meaningful giving campaign outside historic St. James Cathedral at 65 Church St. on Wednesday. - Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Christmas often has people wondering what they can get for that person who has everything.
World Vision Canada has a suggestion for those exasperated shoppers: buy something on behalf of their have-everything friends for those who have very little.
The not-for-profit organization showcased some of the many options available – chickens, goats, llamas, cows and donkeys – at a recent special Meaningful Gifts Pop-Up Shop at St. James Cathedral.
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World Vision Canada’s meaningful giving campaign offers Canadians the opportunity to support people by providing them with livestock, agricultural start-up kits, books, medicine and immunizations, clean water and more.
"A goat can produce as much as 250 litres of milk a year, and that’s a huge benefit to so many people," said World Vision Canada giving expert Alicia Pereira. "If someone gives an alpaca, the wool can be used to produce clothing to keep them warm. It’s a great way to give."
Shoppers can also buy their friends and loved ones handmade jewelry, scarves, ornaments, free trade coffee and other gifts from artisans in developing countries, with proceeds going back to those who created the goods.
"We recently had one of our former sponsor children, a girl from a Maasai tribe (in Kenya), come over and graduate from Ryerson – the first woman in her tribe to leave," Pereira said. "She’s gone back and started up a business making bracelets that people can buy, and the money goes back to that tribe."
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World Vision Canada will also benefit from the generosity of Toronto singer/songwriter Luke McMaster, who has pledged the proceeds from his new Christmas single "Raise a Glass" to the cause.
"I’ve done work with World Vision before when I was on tour and they do such great work," the Junction area resident said following a performance at the downtown Pop-Up Market Wednesday, Dec. 17. "I’m hoping to be able to raise $10,000 for them through my song and we’re not there yet, but it’s going well."
While World Vision Canada’s gifts are ideal for the holidays – Pereira noted the Christmas season always provides a healthy boost in sales – the items are available year-round.
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