Gadgets and goings on... a community-minded Christmas

A better puppy plan

Every year we hear warnings about puppies bought as Christmas gifts being abandoned once the novelty has worn off. So how about a Guide Dog Puppy Club membership instead?

Offered by The Association for the Blind of WA, the membership includes a personalised certificate with a photo and the opportunity to meet some of the puppies at Association for the Blind of WA functions. The Guide Dog Puppy Club memberships help cover the $20,000 it costs to train each guide dog. For those wanting a little more ownership, without needing to constantly clean the back yard, the Association for the Blind of WA allows people to name a puppy and follow its development  – provided that person funds the entire training cost.

South West gift package

Margaret River businesses Olio Bello, Merribrook Retreat and Leeuwin Estate have joined forces to support Youth Focus – a Western Australian charity working towards the prevention of youth suicide.

They’ve put together a ‘Generosity of Spirit’ gift package. The package includes an overnight stay at Merribrook, a gourmet hamper, lunch at Olio Bello and a wine tasting at Leeuwin. The producers say the package is valued at over $600 but will be sold as a $495 gift voucher, with 5 per cent donated to Youth Focus.

The climate of change

Climate change has been a hot topic this year and is likely to continue to be debated well in to 2008.

So why not help do your bit for the environment and offset some carbon emission.

For a fee, not-for-profit Floreat-based company Carbon Neutral plants trees to offset the relevant carbon emissions.

Carbon emissions offsets can be bought to cover over a year, or a lifetime.