North-Americans on target to spend $1 trillion on Christmas; ‘time to reflect on real difference we’re making,’ says GFA World
STONEY CREEK, Ontario — With Christmas spending in North America on target to hit a trillion dollars this year, a leading humanitarian agency is urging Americans not to forget the world’s poor.
“For hundreds of millions of children across Asia, Christmas is a time when they’re forgotten,” said K.P. Yohannan, founder of GFA World, www.gfa.ca.
The organization has launched its Forgotten Christmas campaign (www.ForgottenChristmas.ca) — an effort to “bring back the true meaning of Christmas and give hope to others.”
Last year, through Forgotten Christmas and GFA World’s Christmas Gift Catalogue, over 260,000 life-changing gifts were given to some of the poorest families in Asia — gifts such as chickens, goats and sewing machines that help lift families out of extreme poverty. On the website, people can order a free Christmas gift catalogue and watch an inspiring video.
“For so many children in Asia, this Christmas morning will be like any other day — scavenging through trash piles for scraps and anything they can recycle, just to help feed their family,” Yohannan said.
Feast — And ‘The Least’
“As families throughout the world prepare for their Christmas feast, we’re asking them to also remember the least — the poor whom Jesus called ‘the least of these.’”
“‘Forgotten Christmas’ is a time to reflect on the real difference we’re making in the world, especially in light of the massive amount spent on the holiday in the West,” Yohannan said.
Last year, Americans spent more than a trillion dollars on Christmas, an average of over $1,500 per family, and purchased more than 30 million Christmas trees.
Forgotten Christmas is about “making Christmas Christ-centered again,” said Yohannan, whose faith-based organization has served the poor in Asia for four decades.
“A single gift of compassion can help communicate the love of God to one person, one family, or even an entire village,” said the missions leader and author of Never Give Up. “We can so easily forget the real reason for the season is putting Christ at the center and giving others hope.”
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GFA World, www.gfa.ca is a leading faith-based mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions, especially to those who have yet to hear about the love of God. In GFA World’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.
PHOTO CUTLINE: FORGOTTEN CHRISTMAS: GFA World, www.gfa.ca has launched its Forgotten Christmas campaign (www.ForgottenChristmas.ca) — an effort to “bring back the true meaning of Christmas and give hope to others.” Last year, supporters of Forgotten Christmas purchased life-changing gifts, including cows and goats, for over 260,000 of the poorest families in Asia.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregg Wooding @ 972-567-7660
gwooding@inchristcommunications.com
