News and Media Releases
Emma Macchia with four-week old chicks at the Adelaide Zoo. Picture: TAIT SCHMAAL
24 Dec 2008
Cute, but these chicks can be a lot more
Adelaide Advertiser - Page 5 - Jessica Hurt
A growing number of people are turning their back on traditional Christmas gifts, preferring instead to give something to those less
fortunate.
Organisations such as World Vision and Zoos SA have noticed
an increase in those donating gifts or adopting animals as presents.
World Vision's Smiles program enables people to buy presents for underprivileged communities overseas, such as $6 for a chicken, $13 for a mosquito net or $27 for a blanket.
Although the program has been running for several years, World Vision Australia's head of marketing and planning, Cameron
Watson, said sales this year had increased by 35 per cent compared to last year.
"People increasingly think of buying goats, picks and toilets for the
underprivileged instead of another pair of socks for Dad", he said.
Meanwhile, Zoos SA has noticed a record number of people wanting to adopt an animal from Adelaide and Monarto Zoos. "It's an affordable way they can donate with the starting price around $60 to adopt an animal," spokeswoman Emily Rice said.
Organisers of the Kmart Wishing Tree say donations are up about 10 per cent.