Branch out this holiday season: Give a gift that keeps on giving

TORONTO, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - Have you ever worn the reindeer sweater your aunt got you three years ago? Or the elf socks from your cousin? Instead of giving gifts this holiday season that wind up in the back of a drawer or in the garbage, consider gift options that will keep on giving for years to come.

One of Canada's longest-serving environment and wildlife charities, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) offers an e-gift feature that was designed to meet the needs of Canadians who want to 'give green' during the holidays or for any occasion. This eco-friendly, no-wrap required gift is available at www.tdfef.com/egift

"It truly is better to give than to receive and donating to a charity on behalf of family and friends is a gift all Canadians can feel good about," says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "What better way to show someone they are important to you this holiday season than by supporting a cause that is important to them?"

Why donate to TD FEF?

Those who donate to TD FEF can rest assured their gift will be put to good use: 100 per cent of every dollar donated to TD FEF goes towards funding environment and wildlife projects in communities across Canada. Over the past 20 years, TD FEF has donated more than $53 million to fund over 19,000 grassroots initiatives from coast-to-coast.

"Whether your gift recipients are animal lovers, future scientists or nature enthusiasts, they are certain to appreciate a donation in their name to TD FEF, which will help protect and preserve Canada's environment," says Desjardins. "Not only is this e-gift a socially-responsible choice but it makes holiday shopping a breeze - one website visit and you're done."

Projects recently supported by TD FEF include:

• Vermicomposting at St. Michel Catholic School, New Liskeard: St. Michel Catholic School is showing students how they can reduce their carbon footprint by composting all organic materials on campus using red worms. This material is then used to enrich trees and plants at their school.
  
  
• Bridging the Gap, Nature Manitoba, marries environmental education with indigenous stewardship, providing students from Winnipeg's inner-city schools an opportunity to visit local natural areas and engage in culturally relevant environmental education. Indigenous elders are integral advisors for the program, linking past and present generations.
  
  
• Le Nichoir, Hudson, QC, aims to educate the public on wild bird biodiversity, provide precious hands-on learning opportunities for Biology students and junior volunteers and help wild birds develop their flight muscles before returning to their natural environment. With the support of TD FEF, Le Nichoir's outside aviaries were repaired enabling birds to practice flying before returning to the wild. Le Nichoir also received funds for proper educational materials to inform municipalities and community members about wild birds, their natural history, provide easy identification and information on wild bird and human interactions, including bird feeding tips. The tools will also help teach children and get them involved in current wild bird conservation projects.
  
  
• Corner Brook Community Garden, NL: The Western Environment Centre has created a community garden in Corner Brook, teaching the community how to live more sustainably by growing their own food. It explores the importance of local food supplies, conserving agricultural land, organic agriculture and waste reduction.

Besides giving the gift of TD FEF this holiday season, there are several ways Canadians can get involved with TD FEF:

• Non-profit organizations interested in submitting a request for financial support to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation should visit www.tdfef.com for more information. Funding applications are only accepted online;
• Become a TD FEF donor by giving as little as a few dollars per month. Donate online at www.tdfef.com or by visiting any TD Canada Trust branch;
• Canadian university and college students can enter the TD Go Green Challenge. For more information visit www.tdfef.com/gogreen;
• Volunteer with a local TD FEF Chapter Advisory Board: http://www.fef.td.com/advisoryboard.jsp;
• Join the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation fan page on Facebook and follow TD FEF on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TDFEF.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $53 million in funding to over 19,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.