I received a press release recently with a neat last-minute gift idea that has relevance to birth activism—a symbolic gift of a safe birth kit for a mother in the developing world (I investigated a little and the organization is a legitimate humanitarian organization.) Here is the information:

Rescue Gifts help refugees and others who have been impacted by war and natural disaster. Holiday shoppers can choose a gift that inspires them and dedicate it in honor of a special person in their lives. The International Rescue Committee will send gift recipients a beautiful acknowledgement card with the gift giver’s personalized message.

There’s a perfect gift for everyone:

• For a mom: A Safe Delivery ($24) can ensure critical supplies for the safe birth of a child in a crisis zone.
• For a spouse: Emergency Food ($68) can deliver a month’s supply of vitamin-rich therapeutic food for at least 50 malnourished children in places wracked by food shortages or famine.
• For the foodie or friend with a green thumb: A Community Garden ($60) can provide tools and seeds to refugees who have been resettled in the United States, so that they can grow their own fresh, healthy food in an IRC community garden.
• For a teacher:  A Year of School ($52) can supply the tuition, books and other materials for one year of a child’s schooling in a country recovering from war.

Shoppers who spend $75 or more will receive a fashionable organic cotton “Rescue” T-shirt designed and donated by Threads for Thought, or they can opt to have it sent as a gift.

Rashida Jones, IRC Voice and star of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” is promoting the Clean Water Rescue Gift and giving it to her friends this year. She says, “At an IRC refugee camp in Thailand, I saw that the ready availability of water transforms lives. I am buying this gift for my friends this holiday season.”

Parks & Recreation is one of my favorites TV shows, so it is fun to have that connection too. Of course, I inquired as to what exactly a “safe delivery kit” entails, because I do not want to inadvertently be promoting non-evidence based Western medical care practices in countries relying heavily on traditional midwives. I was told that, “as such, the Safe Delivery Rescue Gift represents the typical amount of money needed for the IRC to provide supplies and assistance necessary for a safe delivery. However, Safe Delivery Rescue Gift donations will be used where and when most needed in our wide-ranging humanitarian work in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities. The IRC does provide and support pre and post natal care for new and expectant mothers and their babies. This includes training and equipping midwives like the ones in Tham Hin refugee camp in Thailand, although midwifery is not the only childbirth model that the IRC supports.”

If you’re looking for a last-minute stocking stuffer for a humanitarian minded friend or family member, or for a birth activist buddy, you might find the right gift at Rescue Gifts!