CRS Fair Trade » Christmas

Putting Their Hands to Work for Justice

Katy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:32:31 +0000

Although TV and radio commericals for Christmas sales begin earlier every year, they’ll never beat the Work of Human Hands Sale organizer! Many Work of Human Hands Sale organizers began preparations for their Christmas sales in September (and yes! some even in August or July!). It may take a little more work than taking a Christmas gift list to the mall, but by hosting a Work of Human Hands Sale for Christmas, these sale organizers provide a just alternative for shoppers and a fair market for disadvantaged producers. They demonstrate the true spirit of the season through their own generosity and hard work on behalf of those in need.

Thank you to all the Work o f Human Hands Sale organizers for giving others the opportunity to shop responsibly and thoughtfully, particularly during Advent. And thank you to all the shoppers who are using their dollars to provide the benefits of Fair Trade to producers overseas, while at the same time giving their loved one unique crafts and delicious foods!

To help sale organizers get the word out about their sales, and help shoppers locate a sale near them, please post your Work of Human Hands Sale information to the CRS Fair Trade website or to our Facebook page. If there is no sale in your neighborhood, it’s always possible to shop Work of Human Hands online.

Fair Trade Christmas Carols to Sing and Share

Jackie — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:04:38 +0000

A couple weeks ago, the Catholic Relief Services Choir entertained participants at our Work of Human Hands sale with special Fair Trade carols. Check out our talented colleagues on You Tube and also catch sight of some of the sale’s best selling products.

The catchy carols that the choir is singing came from our colleagues at Global Exchange. They have put a whole packet of carols together for advocates to take around their neighborhoods or to sing at community events this holy season. They are also encouraging each of us to make Fair Trade resolutions in the new year, and I’ll be posting ideas for that next week!

For now, here are the lyrics to “We wish you a Fair Trade Christmas” re-written by Adrienne Fitch-Frankel and sung to the tune of “We wish you a Merry Christmas”

“We wish you a Fair Trade Christmas.
We wish you a Fair Trade Christmas.
We wish you a Fair Trade Christmas,
and Happy New Year.

Fight poverty for producers
And all of their kin.
We wish you a Fair Trade Christmas
and Happy New Year!”

Many ways to give fairly, generously, and prayerfully

Jackie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:57:17 +0000

I did most of my Christmas shopping last weekend, taking advantage of the Work of Human Hands shipping sale, and also stocking up on Fair Trade coffee for relatives who will be visiting soon. But I still have some giving to do, and I wanted to share a few alternatives to consider as YOU make your list and check it twice.

Some of my loved ones prefer that I not purchase “stuff” this holiday and have asked for gifts to charity. (If you feel the same way, be sure to tell the St. Nicholas in your life that alternative gifts work for you!) Here at Catholic Relief Services, you can make a direct donation to the CRS Fair Trade Fund. We then recycle that money into projects “on the ground” overseas and “in the marketplace” here in the States to promote economic justice.

You also can contribute directly to an overseas project from the CRS Gift Catalog in honor of someone who would appreciate knowing his or her gift is at work to help those in need. Purchasing a share in a microfinance project in Senegal, for example, might be just the thing your sibling or friend will remember and treasure.

photo credit: Gary Howe

As many of us are facing economic hardships, I want to recognize that there are many ways to give beyond our roles as consumers. In addition to CRS gifts in honor of someone, or specific Fair Trade purchases, CRS knows that the gift of prayer for the poor and marginalized overseas and in our own country is always a powerful force for change no matter what our financial circumstances.

At this holiday season and always, we at CRS thank you for your generosity and your commitment to our One Human Family.