2008 Christmas-Friendly Shopping Guide

How leading retailers’ messages rate

Last updated: 12/2/08

We welcome your use of these ratings in your shopping decisions. As an additional way to help you communicate with the retailers we evaluated, we are providing the convenience of a petition which you can sign by visiting focuspetitions.com.

Retailers will be presented with petitions – thanking those that embrace “Christmas,” and alerting those that have purged or marginalized “Christmas” that you object to the secularization of Christmas. We hope you will “stand for Christmas” with us and encourage the continued acknowledgement of this historic Christian observance in our culture.

 

“Christmas-friendly” retailers – prominent acknowledgment of “Christmas”

Bass Pro Shops* Bed, Bath & Beyond Best Buy Cabela’s Circuit City Crate&Barrel Dillard’s Eddie Bauer

JCPenney Kohl’s L.L.Bean Lands’ End Linens ‘n Things Lowe’s Macy’s Neiman Marcus

Nordstrom Pier 1 Imports Sears The Home Depot Target Toys “R” Us Wal-Mart

“Christmas-negligent” retailers – marginalized use of “Christmas”

Barnes & Noble Borders Dick’s Sporting Goods

GAP KB Toys Kmart

“Christmas-offensive” retailers – apparent abandonment of “Christmas”

American Eagle Banana Republic Bloomingdale’s Lane Bryant Old Navy

* National retailers that contacted us to note their support for Christmas.

 

Originally published by Focus on the Family Action. Copyright © 2008 Focus on the Family Action.

Bamboo: Natural Support for Your Skin

When you think of bamboo, you may think of sweeping mountains in Asia or cuddly pandas munching on tender shoots-but do you ever think of bamboo as a supplement to your health? This ancient, woody plant has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as a treatment for infections such as toxemia, as well as for ailments such as heat buildup, constipation, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Bamboo doesn’t just improve your internal health-it can also work wonders for your skin.

Bamboo is the largest natural source of silica, a mineral your skin uses to hold in moisture and smooth out wrinkles. As we get older, our need for silica increases, but our ability to produce it naturally diminishes; therefore, using products with bamboo can be very beneficial. Bamboo has been known to help even out skin tone, improve skin complexion, and lessen skin inflammation. It can also help to support the rebuilding of the skin’s natural support structure, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Trivani has taken advantage of the great effects bamboo can have on your skin by including bamboo extract in its Day Protection Serum and Night Repair Crème. These two fabulous products can help you achieve the appearance of youth with smoother, younger-looking skin that will have people talking.

Trivani Foundation Update

TRIVANI FOUNDATION UPDATE            November 19, 2008      Trivani announces the completion of the Taru Water-Pipe Connection!!! In Kenya, Child Guardianship funds for Taru Primary School have been put to good use: The learning environment for students in Taru is generally difficult due to food and economic insecurity; spending hours of each day walking to collect water only compounds these challenges. Trivani Foundation has recently concluded a life-changing project in Taru: a water pipe connection that now brings clean water directly to the school! This completed project provides clean and safe drinking water to the school and the entire village that surrounds the school. By bringing water directly to the school, the previous 3 km one-way journey for fetching water is eliminated for water usage at the school and significantly reduced for surrounding households. In addition to use at the school, an estimated 1, 000 homes will also benefit from this new tap. Provision of clean water will help in improving the health both at school and at the community level, and thereby provide a much better learning environment for our Trivani sponsored students. Students and community members alike give enormous thanks to all guardians who made this possible! School and Project Background: Taru is located in Kinango District in rural Kenya. Most people in this region rely on livestock and mixed farming. The environment is very arid and often there is a deficit in household food sources. Household sizes are large, with an average of 6-8 members. The water project was requested by the school management committee and the parents on behalf of the entire community. This project was received with great cooperation from the community, with several successful, participatory meetings held with members of the community and relevant committees. The community turnout during the digging of the trenches was tremendous.
Community Leader collects water from the new Taru Water Tap   Taru Students watch as Fred, Trivani Foundation Project Manager, samples fresh, clean water. 1,000 homes will be able to access this water!
* * Reminder to all Distributors who are Child Guardians: * * Check out your sponsored child´s profile on your website to view new updates on your child´s village, school and the life-changing uses of Guardian funds. Visit the Trivani Foundation website for more ways to contribute to the change we wish to see in the world.

1000 Reconstructive Surgeries For Children!

Trivani closed in on the incredible number of 1000 reconstructive surgeries for children! Below, I have included Before and After photos of some of the kids who have received Trivani-sponsored surgeries. A few of them still have one more surgery to go before they return home.