Tuesday, Dec 27, 2005
By Rania Habib, Staff Reporter
It's that time of year again, and the end of 2005 combined with the start of a new year is ringing in three big holidays at the same time.
Christmas, New Year's and Eid Al Adha all fall within days of each other, giving the greeting card business reason to cheer.
For those who want to be generous over the holidays, charity greeting cards are on hand every year in a range of designs and styles.
There's something for everyone, whether from Unicef, WWF, the Red Crescent, the Al Noor Training Centre in Dubai or The Future Centre in Abu Dhabi. Take a look at what's available this year.
Unicef (United Nations Children's Fund)
Dedicated to safeguarding children's rights worldwide, the organisation works in hundreds of countries and with millions of needy children.
- Greeting card designs are donated by artists from around the world, and go through a selection committee in Geneva for approval.
- 100 per cent of the proceeds go to emergency relief projects such as the Pakistan earthquake or the Asian tsunami.
- This year, Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (daughter of Shaikh Mohammad) donated two of her designs to Unicef.
- Cards are sold at Magrudy's, petrol station stationery sections and Unicef offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- Prices range from Dh3 to Dh4.5 per card.
saqureshi@unicef.orgRed Crescent
The Red Crescent began making greeting cards seven years ago. A branch of the world's largest humanitarian organisation, the Red Crescent provides assistance to people without discrimination as to nationality, race, beliefs or class.
- Red Crescent greeting cards are designed by local artists.
- Cards are for corporate purposes, with the designs presented to various companies and organisations and subject to order.
- 100 per cent of the money raised from greeting cards goes to humanitarian projects or to developing the Red Crescent organisation.
- Prices range from Dh3.5 to Dh5 per card.
For more information, call 02-641 9100
WWF (World Wildlife Fund)
The World Wildlife Fund for Nature is an environmental conservation organisation that's been working to save the planet for over four decades.
Active in over 90 countries, the WWF can be found from the jungles of Borneo to the shores of the UAE. Their greeting cards project began in 2001.
- Artists are commissioned to design the cards, and images or illustrations are done by well-known artists in the UAE. The images reflect the UAE heritage, local environment, and general scenes from the UAE.
- Cards are available for occasions such as Christmas, New Year, Eid and Diwali.
- Cards are distributed to corporations and can be designed according to specifications.
- This is the first year that the WWF is selling its cards retail. Cards are currently sold at various fairs and bazaars around the country, and are available in retail stores such as Magrudy's and Jashanmal.
- Prices average about Dh3.5 per card.
Al Noor Training Centre For Children With Special Needs
The Al Noor Training Centre has been serving children with specials needs for almost 25 years, providing training to help children with special needs from infancy and ensuring functional integration into society. The centre began making greeting cards 16 years ago.
- Greeting cards are designed by local artists, children from various schools, and by children from the Al Noor centre.
- Cards are made for all occasions such as Christmas, Eid and New Year.
- 30,000 catalogues detailing the designs have been sent out this year.
- Greeting cards are sold through the Al Noor Centre, and 100 per cent of the proceeds go to the operating of the centre.
- Prices range from Dh2 to Dh5 per card.
For more information, call 04-3946088
The Future Centre
The Abu Dhabi Future Centre is a non-profit school for children with learning disabilities and rehabilitation. The centre for kids with special needs has been producing greeting cards since 2000.
- The designs are all painted by the children of the centre.
- Brochures are sent out to companies and to individuals who request them.
- Cards are available for New Year and Eid.
- Along with brochures, cards are also sold at the Future Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Gulf News 2005. All rights reserved.
