"I wanted a different kind of gift that would serve as an ongoing reminder of our appreciation for their business," says David Hansen, managing director of Meridian Wealth Management LLC. Early this fall, Hansen had already completed his office's holiday shopping — he's sponsoring a child through Save the Children for each of his top 100 clients.

Photographs and letters from sponsored children displayed by employees at Juliska.

Meridian Wealth Management, which specializes in individual investment management and wealth planning, is just one of a growing number of businesses seeking meaningful holiday gifts through charitable organizations.

"Our clients allow us to position their money in markets throughout the world, and Save the Children works with families in need all around the world.  I thought it was a good fit," Hansen explains. He also notes that he chose Save the Children, now in its 75th year, because the Westport, Connecticut-based organization has a strong record of fiscal responsibility.

To spread holiday cheer, Robert Bridgeman is sponsoring a child for each of the 13 Lubexpress stores he owns in New Jersey. "The sponsorship program provides personal contact beyond just giving a single contribution," explains Bridgeman. "I wanted to present each store with a direct connection to a child in need, as a way to share our company's success."

Bridgeman and Hansen are not alone in their desire to give gifts that give back. Juliska, a high-end tableware company, sets social responsibility as a high value and, beginning last November, sponsors a child through Save the Children for each of the company's employees at the holiday season. "They [employees] instantly feel a part of something great, and it is very uniting for the work force," says CEO Dave Gooding. A corkboard in the flagship store in Stamford, CT, is covered with photos of the children from all over the world and the colorful letters and pictures they have sent.

Hansen reports that he has received very positive feedback from his clients, who appreciated a gift that helped others.  Several wrote to say they were impressed with Save the Children's work and two were so intrigued they decided to visit their sponsored children, who live on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. "The program is a great way to enhance the relationship with our clients, and share our good fortune with children in need."

For more information on how your small business can make sponsorship a part of its plan to connect with clients or employees, contact Nancy Fekete at (203) 341-6542 or visit www.savethechildren.org/sponsor.