Gifts can help others

That CD or T-shirt you purchase for a friend this season may also benefit breast cancer or AIDS research, as catalogers support worthwhile causes through the sale of designated products.

For example:

The Black Dog, www.theblackdog.com: All profits from the company’s canine backpack––a heavy-duty pack for dogs ––go to the National Education for Assistance Dog Services.

Bombay Company, www.bombayco.com: Sales of "Sing for the Cure," an original CD, support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Mei Ying, the Panda, helps the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Bloomingdale’s by Mail, www.bloomingdalesbymail: A portion of the sales from its Broadway Cares Collection of T-shirts, ornaments and jewelry supports Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Jackson & Perkins, www.jacksonandperkins.com: A portion of proceeds from sales of its Miracle Rose go to KIDSTART, which benefits homeless children. Sales of the Diana, Princess of Wales Rose and the Veterans’ Honor Rose benefit the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and a fund reserved for veterans’ health care issues respectively.

Mission Orchards, www.missionorchards.com: A portion of profits from its Gift of Hope selection goes to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations.

Sales of all the nature-inspired clothing, jewelry, linens and household accessories in the National Wildlife catalog, www.nwf.org, benefit the work of the National Wildlife Federation, the nation’s largest nonprofit conservation education and advocacy program.