Selita's Gift Ideas - Donate

Filed Under: Models When Celebrities Blog Victoria's Secret Selita Ebanks

As we're rapidly approaching one of the biggest holidays of the year, it's time to remember that not everyone in the world will be having happy holidays.

Victoria's Secret angel Selita Ebanks wants to remind everyone that while it may be the season to receive, most importantly it's the time of season to GIVE.

The model has recently taken to her blog to urge those that may are more fortunate to consider donating to UNICEF.

Selita writes:

Please visit UNICEF. It's an amazing website where not only can you make a donation to help prevent or lower the cases of malaria but you can also make a donation in whatever region of the world in someone's name in the form of a holiday card. You can even buy a Gucci purse or Cartier bracelet and proceeds will go to a bigger cause than ourselves. It makes a great gift for a friend, lover, co-worker, etc. and is quite impressive to be so worldly concious.

According to the World Health Organization's statistics, in 2007, there were an estimated 9 million child deaths, significantly fewer than the 12.5 million estimated in 1990. Every year some 536,000 women die of complication's during pregnancy or childbirth, 99% of them in developing countries. Most maternal deaths occur in Africa, where the maternal mortality ratio is 900 per 100,000 births, with no measurable improvement between 1990 and 2005. In 2006, an estimated 330 million people were at risk of malaria.

The prevalence of HIV infection is highest in Africa as well. Two-thirds of the global total of 33 million people with HIV live in Africa. Out of every 10 deaths worldwide, 6 are due to noncommunicable conditions; 3 to communicable, reproductive or nutritional conditions; and 1 to injury. Many developing countries have mortality patterns that reflect high levels of infectious diseases and the risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth, in addition to the cancers, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases that account for most deaths in the developed world.

At UNICEF you can help lower these statistics. Every little counts. The progress that has been made demonstrates that more can now be achieved but to do so will require that an adequate level of support is maintained for global health, despite the current economic crisis. Today, in the year of 2009, women are still dying during childbirth. 1 In 10 women die during childbirth and 1 in 4 children die before the age of 5. In Sierra Leone, there are 7 hospitals and in 1 American ambulance there are more health supplies than all 7 of those hospitals put together. The people of Sierra Leone have to bring their own drugs, slits or gauze's. That is why I support Shine On Sierra Leone, an amazing organization doing incredible work in the country.

I truly believe that when you give you are blessed. Everyday we should practice giving. Whether it's our neighbor who lost his job and may lose his home…offer him a hand, a meal, a smile. When we are down we must pick ourselves up, but sometimes we get hit harder than we would like and getting back up requires someone else's help. There's no shame in that! When I was a child and my family first moved to New york and when I was made aware of what money truly meant was when American money had colors. Our money In the Cayman Islands is colorful so I never questioned the monopoly like paper my mother would pay for our coupon ridden groceries with. My mother was a hustler and we never went hungry so there should never be guilt or a lack of respect for someone who may need help to feed her children. That is why today I support and give back in a great abundance not only monetarily but in my time.

Please visit UNICEF and buy a "UNICEF inspired gift" in someone else's name and at the same time you could provide clean water to a child. Please educate yourself, your neighbors and friends. Ignorance is never bliss. Happy holidays and a blessed new year to everyone. Love y'all! xoxo

What a wonderful gift idea.

In addition to UNICEF there are many fabulous organizations that could use your help, not only during holidays, but year round.

[Image via WENN.]

Posted: December 23, 2009 at 5:00 pm