DHLC Alternative Christmas

Goats can go where other animals can’t, surviving in some of the world’s most challenging terrain. Goat's milk provides nutrition for children and their families, and goats are quick to reproduce — which means a family can pass this life-saving gift onto others.

Give your neighbor a fish, and they’ll eat for a day. Give your neighbors a community fish farm, and they’ll eat for a lifetime. A fish farm begins with a pond, training and a few fast-growing fish.

One dairy cow can produce a few gallons of calcium-packed milk each day. A family can receive the nutrition they need and also start a small business selling extra milk, cheese and more. With food, funds and fertilizer, the gift of a cow has got it all.

Support farmers and healthy honeybee colonies with this buzz-worthy gift. Honeybees provide honey to eat, beeswax that allows a farmer to start a small business selling their products, and a boost to crop growth by pollinating plants everywhere they go.

Special varieties of fruit trees are known to thrive in the driest of conditions. These low-maintenance trees are an investment in the community that can span generations, protecting the soil from erosion and providing nutritious fruit to children and adults alike.

Share love and warmth with a survivor in the aftermath of a disaster or emergency with the gift of a blanket — a gift that provides comfort, rest and a reminder that someone cares.

In many places around the world, just one bite from an infected mosquito can transmit malaria and lead to serious illness or death. A mosquito net can protect those most at risk — especially small children and older adults — from this life-threatening disease.

Far too many of the world's children don't go to school because they can't afford the supplies. By providing school books, paper and pencils, you provide the building blocks for a brighter future.

Worldwide, girls are far less likely than boys to be enrolled in school. When you educate a girl, you help open a world of opportunity for her future and the future of her family and community.

Many women have a dream to start their own small business, but it's hard to get started. A microloan helps a woman start her business — weaving, baking or running a storefront, for example — to create a steady source of income and help her family escape poverty.

You can help a woman from one of our global companion churches complete her education in business, women’s rights, peace studies or other areas. Be an early part of a young leader’s story, and one day we’ll all benefit from what she shares with the world.

More than 4,000 children die each day from preventable diseases like measles, polio, tetanus and tuberculosis. Immunizing a child is one of the best ways to ensure that a child stays healthy — and a family stays free from medical costs.

Manure works wonders on struggling fields, increasing soil quality, reducing the risk of erosion and improving nutrients available to crops — helping a farmer increase her yields in a stinking big way!

With this gift — a combination of two of our most popular gifts — a family gains access to an ongoing supply of eggs from their chickens, protein-packed milk from their goat, and a steady source of income.

The gift of a shared plot of land, drought-resistant seeds, and honeybees means there will be plenty of tomatoes, potatoes, beans and other veggies to go around. Extra produce and honey can be sold for income and reinvested to help a community expand their garden.

A simple water well or other water point can help as many as 500 families gain access to clean, safe water.

Many farmers around the world rely on rainwater to nourish their crops, and a lack of rainfall can make entire communities vulnerable to drought and hunger. Irrigation systems can relieve the stress of unpredictable weather for farmers and their families.

When safe drinking water isn’t available, a simple ceramic water filter is a lifesaver. Capable of purifying water without electricity or chemicals, a water filter is a reliable way to provide safe water when it’s needed most.

Special varieties of fruit trees are known to thrive in the driest of conditions. These low-maintenance trees are an investment in the community that can span generations, protecting the soil from erosion and providing nutritious fruit to children and adults alike.

The gift of a shared plot of land, drought-resistant seeds, and honeybees means there will be plenty of tomatoes, potatoes, beans and other veggies to go around. Extra produce and honey can be sold for income and reinvested to help a community expand their garden.

Help a family spread their wings. When chicks grow up to become chickens, their eggs not only provide an ongoing supply of protein-rich meals — they can also help start a small business and generate a steady source of income.

More than 30 million children in the United States depend on federal school-meal programs to stay well-nourished and ready to learn. This gift helps children maintain the same level of nutrition over the weekend and when school is not in session. 

Care for God’s little ones with a gift to nurture their faith. With lessons, supplies and teaching aids, you can equip fast-growing communities of faith with Christian education materials to make the gospel accessible to children of all ages.

Vocational training centers teach trades that are in high demand — mechanics, welding and carpentry, to name a few. With new skills, individuals are equipped to begin a new career and provide more opportunities for their family.

Lutherans are known for their active role in the lives of refugees. While refugee camps shelter people who have fled their homes due to war and violence, food supplies are critical to helping families stay healthy after a long, dangerous journey to safety.

Whether people are looking for refuge from the streets or a little extra help to get by, a warm meal can go a long way. Your gifts help support soup kitchens across the country as they serve up meals to people in need.