At the end of each year, many companies send cards and small gifts to their customers – people who helped build their business over the previous year.
Google usually does that, sending a card and a gift in the mail. In previous years, the gifts varied, depending on how much the customer spent. They were fun and sometimes a little funky, but hey, I still use my radio with colored lights!
This year Google decided to do something different – and much more useful.
With the economy still in the tank, many people are hurting, especially charties that help others. So Google decided to use the money it would have spent on gifts, to boost 25 different charities. And rather than send customers a christmas card by snail-mail, they sent an e-card.
Good move, Google!
Of course, each action creates an equal and opposite reaction, so this hasn’t been good for the gift, packaging or shipping companies who normally participate in Google Christmastime largesse.
In the ecard, Google wished us Happy Holidays, saying:
With sharing in mind, this year we’ve decided to do something a little different. We hope you’ll find it fits the spirit of the holiday season.
We’re looking forward to working with you to build lasting success in 2010.
Happy Holidays,
Your Google Team
Thanks for being there for us, Google, we really appreciate it, and NewsBlaze looks forward to continuing to provide quality content to our readers and your searchers.

* Current list of intended recipients
* Feeding America
* Boys and Girls Clubs
* Smile Train
* CARE, Mothers Matter
* World Wildlife Fund, Natural Capital Project
* Mobile Creches
* Prajwala
* HEAL Africa
* African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
* The Mango Tree
* National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
* Harlem Children’s Zone
* Save the Children, Latin America focus
* Reporters Without Borders
* Witness
* Loud Against Nazis
* Global Voices
* Ushahidi
* Save the Children, Middle East and Eurasia focus
* Grupo Cultural Afro Reaggae
* Ashesi University College, Ghana
* Pratham
* Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience
* Shin Shin Educational Foundation
* Tzu Chi Foundation