Amazon is feeling the Christmas spirit.
Many of its customers are nonprofits, who keep track of the materials their organizations may need by using the Amazon Wishlists feature. As the year comes to a close and these organizations get ready to crunch their numbers and reevaluate their budgets, Amazon has decided to offer a helping hand and a sweet, fresh start to the new year: by turning their wish lists into realities.
This week, hundreds of US charities have reported receiving things from their online profile wish lists that they never ordered or paid for, supporting causes of a multitude of varieties including STEM education, to homelessness, hunger, disaster relief, youth organizations, sustainability and more. Items that unexpectedly arrived at the charities ready for use reportedly include 5,000 blankets, sheets, and pillows; more than 30,000 toys and educational items for kids; more than 40,000 pajamas, shoes, and other apparel items; and over 60,000 food and pantry items from water to canned goods.
Going beyond even the donated materials that so many need, Amazon is getting even more involved by providing financial aid to homeless-helping organizations across the country as well with more than $1 million donated so far this holiday season.
It all began with their AmazonSmile program, which donates a percentage of everyday purchases that are made through its specific domain to registered charities. Since launching, AmazonSmile has facilitated more than $155 million to charitable organizations. But for the holidays, they decided they would do even more.
“Amazon’s generosity will allow us to meet a portion of the great needs of people experiencing homelessness on our borough’s streets, in the ferry terminal, and especially the children and families in our Staten Island shelter,” said Reverend Terry Troia, President and CEO of Project Hospitality. “We are grateful.”
“We are enormously grateful to Amazon for fulfilling our Charity List,” said Chris Bailey, Executive Director of the Mona Bailey Academy. “Receiving this type of product donation allows us to continue our mission of delivering cutting edge and creative educational programming to underprivileged elementary age students in the Seattle area and beyond.”