First thing’s first:

Here are the new blog entries you guys got coming your way sometime within the next few days - the tropical paradise of Ile Sainte Marie, my new Fianarantsoa region members, Anja Park’s “planting party,” Thanksgiving 2012, GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Camp, International Volunteer Day & a tree nursery update.

But in the meantime, I have an important Christmas message for everyone!

15 days from now is Christmas…stressed out about buying gifts for family and friends? Not sure what to get them?  Have no idea where to even start?

This holiday season, give everyone on your gift list what they really want: the chance to make a difference in the world.  It’s a Christmas or Hanukkah with less stuff and more meaning - sponsor a tree with the Anja Park Tree Nursery in Madagascar and join the fight against deforestation.

The Anja Park forest is home to over 400 ring-tailed lemurs.  But due to the effects of slash & burn agriculture and a slow but steady increase in deforestation over the years, their home is shrinking.

{photo courtesy of Sally Bull}

In a new program spearheaded by the Anja Miray Association, tree seedlings are now being sold to tourists for sponsorship.  With the purchase of a seedling, you are given a certificate honoring your donation and your support of Anja Park.  The seedling is then taken and planted back into the forest, rebuilding hectare by hectare what has been lost over the years.

Donate and sponsor a seedling in a friend, family member, client or colleague’s name.  It’s a thoughtful, heartfelt gift that they’re sure to appreciate. Give them the certificate of sponsorship and show how it has gone to fight deforestation and save the environment, one tree at a time.

So if you think this might be something you’re interested in, look to the right of this post under “My Pages” and click on “Donate Here!”  There you can read a little more about the sponsorship program and how you can make a donation.

I hope everyone’s holiday season is off to a great start!  Christmas is right around the corner, it will be here before you know it!  Enjoy the winter weather & peppermint-flavored Starbucks drinks for me…in the meantime, I’ll wear shorts and tan on the beach for all of you, deal?

Until next time!

T