It’s June and weddings and engagements abound. So many people are preoccupied with decisions about the perfect gift…a silver platter, a place-setting of fine china, a vase?

This morning, while speaking with a friend facing these daunting decisions for three about-to-be-wedded couples who really did have everything, we tried to come up with ideas for meaningful gifts. After a little thought I remembered a recent email from Judy Hoffman who began the Art Creation Foundation for Children several years ago. ACFFC provides about 90 kids in the Haitian town of Jacmel with scholarships for school as well as mandatory uniforms. Every day the children arrive at the rented building where ACFFC runs their programs…they share meals, go to school, study together, take part in art lessons, and in so doing, have created a wonderful extended family. For kids in Haiti this is as close to the good life as you can get. Judy’s email mentioned that the kids really wanted to learn English this summer but she didn’t have the funds to do this.

Would the couples be happy to know that a donation was made in their names that would allow a large group of kids in Haiti to take English lessons this summer? What could be more meaningful? In just a few minutes the idea took shape and now three young couples will be honored in this very special way. Each will receive a note about the children and ACFFC, some pictures of the kids and a tiny hand-crafted paper mache bird (much like the birds in this picture) that the kids create in their art classes.

Now isn’t that better than another fragile piece of glass?