Welcome to the 2017–2018 Gift of Hope Catalog
For nearly 75 years, Catholic Relief Services has rushed lifesaving aid to people overseas during times of disaster.
Along the way, we’ve learned that once immediate needs for food, clean water and health care are met, it’s important to focus on longer-term needs like jobs, infrastructure and education so people have a sustainable way to a better future.
After fleeing devastating conflict and losing their homes, children need safety, and an opportunity to learn, heal and resume the normalcy of childhood with play and social interaction. Support education for refugee children, training for teachers and constructing child-friendly spaces. Boys and girls will receive transportation to and from catch-up classes and recreational activities to interact with other friends, school uniforms and supplies, counseling for their emotional healing and referrals for specialized care.
Many women in labor, and others in medical emergencies, must rely on stretchers, bikes, motorbikes or even their own feet to get to the closest health facility. In remote areas, transportation is inaccessible and walking is impossible. Ambulances made from motorized tricycles save lives.
After immediate needs are met, CRS often builds transitional shelters, semi-permanent housing that gives survivors safety, security and some of the comforts of home while they wait for permanent housing. Transitional shelters often include materials that can be reused in permanent homes.
Kits help families in sub-standard housing survive cold winters. They include blankets, heaters, insulation and tarps to reinforce roofs and keep people dry.
When disaster strikes, CRS rushes in with the necessities people need to take care of their own families. In addition to food, water and medicine, we provide household essentials like cooking pots, containers, blankets, soap and hygiene items. Many items are useful long after the crisis is over.
When homes are badly damaged, Catholic Relief Services helps survivors make them temporarily livable until more permanent repairs or shelter can be provided. From the immediate aftermath of an emergency, CRS works with communities with the goal of moving from relief to sustainable recovery.
A Gift of Hope represents an inspirational way for you to make a life-changing difference for families and communities around the world. Simply choose a gift that will help save, protect and transform the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters–and then, choose a special card to personalize and let your loved one know you’ve given a Gift of Hope in their name.
All items in the gift catalog are actual goods and services provided to people CRS serves overseas. The gifts described in this catalog are symbolic of the good your donation will do for children, women and men in more than 100 countries.
Yes, once you check out, you can add a special note for your loved one to the ecard or printed card of your choosing.
You can read more about us at our home page, read about our programs here or follow us on Facebook. You can also sign-up to receive email updates, inspiring stories and emergency alerts.
Yes, all donations to CRS are tax-deductible and will be included in your year-end tax receipt.
Gift amounts represent averages. Actual costs may vary based on local economies.
All items in the gift catalog are actual goods and services provided to the people CRS serves overseas. The gifts described in this catalog are symbolic of the good your donation will do for children, women and men in more than 100 countries.