Make December different for children like Suzie

Dear GO Family,

As The Global Orphan Project exits our first decade and enters our next, I cannot think of a more humble springboard than our annual Different December tradition.

This year, Suzie, a little girl in Port-au-Prince, received a gift that changed her life: a doctor repaired her club feet. (Read more of her story) That happened because GO Project quietly helped Suzie’s church family pay for her surgery. We could help because so many of you did something different with your Year-End giving last December: you gave to pay for Health & Safety needs of children our world has left behind.

In our world at large, we’ve lived through a major economic funk. The Great Recession – the five year period from 2007 to 2012 – pinched giving to the poor. In 2012, charitable giving in the United States was still 8.2% below charitable giving in 2007. Yet, at the same time, the GO Project community – you – increased giving more than 1,300%. Our community of givers at GO Project is different.

At this most generous time of year, when roughly one third to one half of charitable giving occurs, our mailboxes overflow with exciting buying and giving opportunities. There are lots of sexy options. Yet, at the same time, we turn to you each December to talk about giving for stuff like … toilets. In our Different December tradition, we ask you to help us set aside Health & Safety dollars at the end of this year to pay for rough necessities for kids next year: to fix wells when they go dry, to replace mattresses when they get soiled, to pay for emergency surgeries when children are ill. And each year you joyfully and generously respond.

Why? Why would this grassroots ministry for orphans that asks for toilets for Christmas grow more than 1,300% while the big, glittery world at large flatlines?

• It’s because of whom we serve: We serve orphaned and abandoned children powerfully close to our Father’s heart.
• It’s because of where we serve: We operate at a holy intersection where humble people at the top of the world selflessly help the most hurting children at the very bottom.
• It’s because of why we serve: We’ve discovered that a breathtaking power to love ignites in a low place, all the way down at the clubbed foot of an orphaned child.

Radical generosity springs forth from radical humility. No one lives that truth like Jesus. But every December, you sure do follow His lead! This December, please consider a Year-End donation to our Different December campaign. We remain HONORED to facilitate the giving of your heart, and will use 100% of your gift for the Health & Safety needs of the children we all serve together.

Single Donation     Ongoing (Monthly) Donation

Thank you. And Merry Christmas!

Yours in Christ,

Joe Knittig, CEO – The Global Orphan Project

Donations can be mailed to The Global Orphan Project, 6114 N. 9 Highway, Parkville, MO 64152, and must be mailed and postmarked on or before December 31,  to receive your tax deduction for 2013.