Silver Spring, Maryland--The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International announces the much-anticipated arrival of the 2008 edition of its popular The Original Really Useful Gift Catalog.

The Original Really Useful Gift Catalog encourages readers to partner with ADRA in changing the world, one life at a time, by purchasing much-needed items for vulnerable individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

The catalog features dozens of items covering a range of needs, budgets, and interests. Five dollars provides an insecticide treated mosquito net to a family in the African country of Mozambique, protecting them from malaria. For $1,300, donors can purchase a generator for a school or hospital in the Central Asian country of Tajikistan, which will help eager students read their schoolbooks in classrooms or dedicated doctors treat their patients in remote areas with limited or no electricity.

ADRA's gift catalog is also ideal for group fund raising. Church, school, or community groups, and even families can "adopt" one or more larger-scale projects and directly impact entire communities. The largest project offered in this year's catalog is valued at $83,200 and will allow ADRA to assist 5,000 people in the rural Salamat region of Chad, securing access to adequate food and clean water through agricultural training and well-drilling.

"Just as in past years, the 2008 edition of The Original Really Useful Gift Catalog offers donors a wide selection of opportunities to help those in need around the world," shares Julio Munoz, interim bureau chief for marketing and development for ADRA International.

"Donors may choose from among gifts that support vulnerable families, promote better health, provide food and water, help ADRA respond to emergencies, or assist families in establishing livelihoods and becoming self-sufficient. Each contribution, whether small or large, will make a difference in the lives of others in communities all over the world," Munoz finished.

ADRA encourages groups and individuals to give what they can toward the project or projects of their choice.

Donors may contribute to a project in honor or memory of another person, making the catalog a popular choice for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.

The Original Really Useful Gift Catalog can be accessed online, at www.adra.org, or requested by phone at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372).

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Author: Nadia McGill

Media Contact: Kara Watkins ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6357 Mobile: 301.526.2625 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org