An international non-profit Christian organization is encouraging the community to participate in a program that will simultaneously bring joy to the U.S. citizens and the less-fortunate African community.

The non-profit Christian organization Integrity Worldwide has launched their annual Christmas card campaign. An individual can make a tax-free donation to Integrity Worldwide in honor of a friend or a family member, and the groups sends them a Christmas card that says a special gift has been made to Integrity Worldwide by the card giver in their honor.

“We wanted to do something where people to do something meaningful that could help people at the same time,” Alan Hicks, Jr., the executive director of Integrity Worldwide, said. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”

Proceeds fund the projects Integrity Worldwide has been doing to improve life for the people of Africa.

“It’s the gift that gives twice,” Averee Hicks, the founder of Integrity Worldwide, said. “You can to honor the person here, and it helps people there.”

Donations will aid the organization in their efforts to send African children to school, provide a long lasting, stable medical care for communities, provide clean water for the people and more.

People are encouraged to donate a minimum of $25, but Integrity Worldwide is willing to send a Christmas card for less.

“We pay the postage,” Averee said. “We send the card with the address from you and we fill out the card.”

Averee said that people could either send a message that has what is to be included on the card in it, or they can fill out the card themselves.

“If there is a note that you would like to put on it, we put that note on it,” she said. “Some people like to get the cards themselves, because they want to write a personal note since this is their Christmas card to that person. We can drop the cards off to them, or we can Priority Mail it to them.”

Each card has a picture of the kids benefiting from the Christmas card program on the outside of the card as a friendly reminder that participants are bettering individuals’ lives with their donations.

“Everyone that donates to this program this year will be investing into those kids’ future,” Alan said. “It’s an amazing thing.”

For more information, call Hicks at 334-322-1201 or email the organization at info@integrityworldwide.com.