"Gifts That Give Back"
Author: Washingtonpost.com

Byline: Susan Murray

Are you wondering what kinds of ways you can use your purchasing powers to empower a good cause this holiday season?

Recognizing the desire to support charities through purchasing dollars, the American Red Cross has partnered with companies in the U.S. to provide consumers with the opportunity to purchase popular holiday gifts while helping those in need.

Susan Murray, director of Corporate Partnerships and Cause Marketing for the American Red Cross, was online Monday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. ET to talk about charitable gift giving opportunities for this holiday season.

The transcript follows.

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Susan Murray: Thank you so much for having me online today. I appreciate the opportunity and am happy to answer your questions about ways to help this holiday season with your purchasing dollars. The 2005 Cone Holiday Trend Tracker reports that more than half of Americans intend on buying a holiday gift associated with a cause and/or will buy from a retailer that supports a cause.